i6 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



Parracombe, after wliich it becomes of more impor- 

 tance and has little pools in every bend from which an 

 eight-ounce trout may be got if tried for from the 

 rear. 



It winds its way through woods and brakes, through 

 orchards, farm-yards, and meadows, until it reaches 

 The Hunter's Inn, and then, with the aid of a still 

 smaller stream, it broadens out and looks as important 

 as it can in its quiet statety travel over its last mile 

 to Heddon's mouth. Even here, in its widest part, 

 your smallest rod, }'our finest line and cast are sufficient 

 for the last pool of all — quite near the beach. Have 

 with you, there, in early autumn a sea-trout fly or two, 

 for sometimes these fish are there at that time of the 

 year; but not always, as a flood and spring tide must 

 co-exist at the time the fish are passing or they cannot 

 suiTnount the difficulties of the high beach, through 

 which the normal river has to percolate to reach the 

 sea. 



When fishing Exmoor streams it is only by the 

 use of the finest tackle that you can hope to learn, 

 or derive pleasure from, the sport. You may make 

 a giant of a half-pound fish, and you will find he has 

 a giant's strength if your tackle is fair and pleasur- 

 able for one but half that weight. The angler who 

 has truly learnt this lesson will be as particular about 

 his tackle when going fishing as about his get-up 

 when going a-courting. 



The March Brown is the fly, with a Blue Upright 

 for dropper, but v/hen the river is very low be content 

 with one fly and that the smallest you have. 



Come with us in fancy. Nell and I are marching 

 off together for our first full day of married life and 

 we are going a-fishing. I am carrying a basket on 

 my arm that has a broad handle to fit it for such 

 carrying, and it has two half covers on wicker hinges 

 that creak noisily when used. I know this because 

 the opening of one of them caused my companion to 



