278 ROD AND RIVER 



perseverance in the way of improving a river. 

 And much the same, in a minor degree, might be 

 done with many of our trout-streams, which are 

 at present so sadly neglected. There is an ever- 

 increasing demand for good fishing, and by men 

 who are able and willing to pay highly for it ; but 

 owners and farmers are dreadfully apathetic as a 

 rule, and prefer to let things run on as they have 

 done. They grumble at the prices, loss of rent, 

 etc., but yet will not pick up the gold which lies, 

 as it were, at their very feet. A neglected river 

 does no one any good, and is as doleful a spectacle 

 as an empty stable or a ruined house. In Hamp- 

 shire the fishings let for almost fabulous prices. 

 I do not think I am overstating the average 

 price to be ,100 a mile for good water. In some 

 instances it is considerably higher. Men want 

 fishing ; they are at their wits' end to procure it, 

 and they are ready to travel any distance, and go 

 to any trouble or expense to do so. 



It is, as I have said, very necessary that a 

 salmon-river should be well cared for. An in- 

 telligent and hard-working water-keeper will find 

 that he has plenty to do, apart from his attendance 

 on fishermen. There is ever something requiring 

 attention : banks are washing away and must be 

 seen to, piles require renewing, weeds cutting, 

 back-waters clearing of debris, etc. ; and in the 

 spawning season he will find it a difficult matter 



