44 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



The Eden is one of the few early rivers we have, 

 and there are three migrations of salmon, in early 

 spring, summer, and autumn. Unless stopped by 

 ice the first run begins in December, and has been 

 known as early as November ; the second in June 

 or July ; and the last, the real spawning fish, in 

 October. For spring salmon, March and April 

 are generally the best angling months, though, in 

 an open season, February yields a fair number, 

 the season opening on February i6th ; and those 

 who live near a good stretch of water have often 

 a good time in the early mornings and evenings 

 of May. June, July, August and September are 

 of little use, for Eden salmon are always ex- 

 tremely "dour" in warm weather, and many of the 

 early fish have returned to the sea. The autumn 

 fishing is in full swing in October and up to 

 November 15th, when the season closes; and, as 

 all the river nets are off by September 1st, there is 

 often good sport, three, four or five fish to a rod in 

 a day's fishing being not uncommon. But, of course, 

 the fish are far behind the spring fish in quality, 

 many of them being only fit for kippering. 



With regard to flies, most of the standard 

 patterns will kill, the favourites being the Silver 

 Doctor, Blue Doctor, Silver Grey, Parson, Wilkin- 

 son, Black Ranger and Jock Scott But the " fly 

 of flies " on the Eden is the Carlisle Bulldog, 

 designed by the late Robert Strong, of Carlisle, 

 and now copied almost everywhere. No angler 

 hereabout thinks his fly-book complete without 

 this fly in three sizes, and the chances are that he 

 tries it first, whatever the conditions, for it is good 

 in either clear or dull weather. The consequence 

 is that, when fish are in the humour, he will prob- 



