RIVERS OF THE DISTRICT 37 



dence in the brackish water, and not only assume 

 a more brilliant dress than those outside the tidal 

 influence, but are well-grown and pink-fleshed. 

 Speaking generally, the trout average about a 

 quarter of a pound, and a I Ib. fish is exceptional. 

 Worm-fishing in clear water is practised ; and the 

 same bait when the river is in spate accounts for 

 the best fish and the biggest baskets. 



Not more than half-a-dozen trout flies are used 

 on the Duddon. At the beginning of the season 

 the March brown, woodcock (with hare's-lug 

 body) and black palmer constitute the cast ; whilst 

 later the flies are woodcock, red spinner, and 

 light starling with dark body. These are con- 

 tinued until (say June) the black gnat displaces 

 one of them ; and in August the cow-dung fly is a 

 great favourite. Probably the most useful fly 

 throughout the season is the March brown as is 

 the case on most northern streams. It should be 

 added that these are hackle-flies, but most Duddon 

 anglers prefer to have one winged-fly on their cast. 



For sea- trout the fly used here is that dressed 

 from the wood-owl's wing, chocolate body, and 

 gold tinsel. A few locally dressed nondescript 

 flies are fished, but the above is that on which 

 Duddon anglers depend. 



Sea-trout commence to run at the end of May, 

 the best fish coming up in June. July and August, 

 however, bring the sea-trout in quantity. 



Salmon commence to run in June and continue 

 until November. Comparatively few are caught. 

 There is only one recorded instance of a salmon 

 taking fly in Duddon after dusk. The Broughton 

 postmaster a few years ago hooked a 19 Ib. fish on 

 a small sea-trout fly at 9 p.m. and it was gaffed at 1 1. 



