C/*a 



-, rflj) 



65 



a north-west and the other a south-west direc- 

 tion. There is, therefore, only the distance 

 from below Alnwick to the sea that is publicly 

 open for sportsmen. This portion of the river, 

 taking all its windings, does not average more 

 than six miles. The tide flows up to the 

 village of Lesbury ; and here fine whitlings are 

 often caught with the fly. 



The finest parts for salmon, in the spring of 

 the year, are those long stretches of deep water 

 near to the Flint and Lesbury mills. The bed 

 of the river here is exceedingly favourable for 

 this fish ; being partly of gravel, with a great 

 number of large stones interspersed. Here 

 they lie in perfect safety. 



In angling for salmon in the Aln, good-sized 

 trout-flies are invariably employed. The stream 

 is but narrow ; and the large flies which would 

 be requisite in the main body of such a river as 

 the Tweed would be totally useless here. 



The quality of the trout is not first-rate ; 

 those caught in the tide-way are, however, very 

 rich, and often as red as the finest salmon. 



The angler on the Aln will be gratified by a 

 visit to the castle, the baronial seat of the 

 Duke of Northumberland. The building is of 

 freestone ; and, as well as the repairs and orna- 

 ments, is in the Gothic style, and in the purest 



