MOUNTAIN TARNS 149 



SMALL WATER 



Small Water (11 acres) lies immediately beneath 

 Kentmere High Street (2,633 feet), and abounds 

 in trout. Owing to its altitude these are rather 

 late in coming into condition, but at any time from 

 the middle of May a good basket may be made, 

 By the end of August, when the trout are at their 

 best, they average about a quarter of a pound 

 each. They are silvery fish and beautifully 

 marked. Their bright colour is probably owing 

 to the fact of the light colour of the bottom of 

 the tarn on the side furthest from the 

 pass. Small Water fishes best in a wind, south 

 or south-west for preference. During the day 

 small, dark hackle flies will be found most 

 effective, but for night fishing winged flies may be 

 used. With these, on the shallows, very nice fish 

 may be had, and a night spent in fishing will 

 afford an enjoyable and impressive experience, 

 especially to a stranger. Mardale (Dun Bull 

 Hotel, unpretentious but good in every way) is 

 the best centre for Small Water, It may also be 

 approached from Longsleddale by Gatescarth 

 Pass, and from Kentmere by Nan Bield Pass. 

 Mardale Beck is the effluent of the tarn and affords 

 plenty of small brook trout after rain. 



Dl.VOKE WATKK 



Devoke Water is a moorland tarn at the foot of 

 Birker Fell. It is about half a mile in length, and 

 contains trout of peculiarly fine quality said to 

 have been introduced from Italy by the monks 

 of Furness Abbey. They are pink-fleshed, and 



