240 SALMON FISHING 



season, and is not deteriorating. The reason is 

 obvious. There is no obstructive weir, no pollution 

 to speak of, no excessive netting in the estuary. 



The KENT, the LEVEN, the DUDDON, and smaller 

 waters in their neighbourhood, continue to be in a 

 state of fair prosperity. Mr. John Fell, Chairman of 

 the Board, favours me with interesting particulars. 

 " It is difficult,*" he writes, " to obtain accurate 

 statistics of the netting in the large estuaries of 

 Morecambe Bay and the Duddon ; but the issue of 

 licenses is well maintained, which affords evidence of 

 success. Salmon of great size are rare. Early spring 

 fish are unknown. The migration from the sea 

 begins about the middle of June. In 1903 and 1904 

 there were abnormal runs of sea-trout. Excellent 

 sport was then found by the anglers in all the im- 

 portant minor rivers. The Kent would be a fine 

 salmon and sea-trout river if it were not injured by 

 weirs and pollutions. The Board have spared no 

 pains to overcome these difficulties, and, being aided 

 by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, 

 have now a prospect of distinct improvement. 

 The Leven, which flows from Windermere to the 

 estuary of Morecambe Bay, yields excellent sport, 

 with salmon and trout, to members of a local 

 Association; but the number of salmon caught by 

 the rod has not been so great as formerly. The 

 Duddon, a beautiful and rapid river, flows through 

 fine scenery. It is to a considerable extent in private 

 hands, and there is not much information as to its 

 yield for anglers. The estuary has a good stock of 



