140 SOUTH COUNTRY TROUT STREAMS 



places — for the angler to make his headquarters at 

 on the upper parts of this delightful little trout 

 stream are Simonsbath and Withypool. Simons- 

 bath, where there is a comfortable inn, the William 

 Rufus, is reached by driving from South Molton 

 Station, or else from Lynmouth, which is a few 

 miles nearer. Sir William Knight is the chief 

 owner of the fishing on the upper Barle, and, if 

 properly approached, gives permission to anglers 

 staying at Simonsbath. At Simonsbath the 

 stream is open and easy to fish, and the troutlets 

 are plentiful, running from six to eight to the 

 pound. Between Withypool and Dulverton, the 

 Barle, now well wooded, flows through beautiful 

 scenery the whole way to its junction with the 

 Exe. At Torre-steps, it is perhaps seen at its best 

 in summertime, and here is an excellent cottage 

 on the hill-side where refreshment may be ob- 

 tained. Dulverton is a little town on the lower 

 stretches of the Barle, having several hotels with 

 fishing rights, and a railway station. The angler 

 stays at the Red Lion, the Lamb, or the Carnarvon 

 Arms, between the town and the station, and here 

 the trout run larger than above. A basket containing 

 fish of about five to the pound may often be made, 

 and on the Earl of Carnarvon's water some J lb. 

 and f lb. trout occasionally rise pretty well in April 

 — the season begins on February 14th — to the wet 

 fly. Dulverton should also be made headquarters by 

 the angler who desires to fish — (i) the upper Exe, 

 which rises, like the Barle, in Exmoor Forest, and 

 flows by Ex ford, Winsford, and Exton ; (2) the 

 Iladdeo, and (3) Brushford Brook — the two latter 

 being tributaries, joining the Exe on, respectively, 

 the left and the right bank. I use the March 



