ENGLAND AND WALES 



of fish as need cause any serious concern. Mr. 

 Harold G. Michelmore writes : 



"The total catch has varied considerably from 

 year to year, and it is not always the year which has 

 been most fruitful to the net fishermen that shows 

 the best results for the anglers. For obvious reasons 

 a dry season is usually best for the nets, and a wet 

 one for the rods. During the period under review 

 the season of 1888 was the first exceptionally good 

 one. In that year the river held a better stock than 

 it had held at any time in the preceding twenty 

 years. The catch of 1888, however, was eclipsed in 

 1893 and 1895. In the later year a record, which 

 has not since been beaten, was established. The two 

 worst years were 1900 and 1905; but, as against 

 this, the season of 1903 was the fourth best in the 

 twenty-five years. As to the future there is cause 

 for anxiety. The improved methods of agricultural 

 drainage render the river liable to sudden and heavy 

 floods, which, whilst they do not last long enough to 

 be of much benefit to the rod fishermen, disturb and 

 damage the spawning beds. Pollution increases. 

 The town of Newton is growing rapidly, and with its 

 growth the condition of the Teign below the sewage 

 outfall becomes yearly worse. Other towns within 

 the watershed are adopting sewage schemes, in the 

 fulfilment of which the river is to have a share. 

 There is another trouble. By a remarkable piece of 

 engineering many years ago, the adventurers in the 

 East Vitifer Tin Mine contrived to abstract nearly 

 all the water of the North Teign, and, after passing 



