154 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



dressed from woodcock and waterhen. In season 

 the bracken-clock swarms, and proves killing whilst 

 it lasts. From the fact of its being well sheltered, 

 the tarn is an early one ; April and May are the 

 best months. 



BLEA WATER 1 



Blea Water (41 acres) nestles under High Street. 

 A considerable sheet of water, it contains trout of 

 poor colour and quality. This may probably be 

 accounted for by the fact that it swarms with fish, 

 and is not netted. It is, however, regularly 

 lathed," and the lathing is done with a good deal 

 of boldness, as this, like several other tarns and 

 streams, is not within the jurisdiction of any 

 Fishery Board. Anglers fishing Blea Water should 

 avoid that side of the tarn nearest High Street. 

 The best (in fact, the only) centre from which to 

 fish Blea Water is the Dun Bull Hotel, Mardale 

 (a satisfactory house with very reasonable charges). 

 Blea Water must not be confounded with Blea 

 Tarn, which is semi-private. There is a boat 

 upon it, the property of Mr. Astley, of Elterwater. 

 Blea Tarn is best seen from the south, looking up 

 the pass into the Langdale Pikes. Trout are fairly 

 plentiful, but never seem to get into good condition. 

 The local anglers describe them as " slinky." 



KENTMERE TARN 



Kentmere Tarn (now converted into a reservoir) 

 lies beneath Nan Bield Pass, and contains a large 

 quantity of fair-sized trout nothing else. Owing 



1 Blea Water and Small Water are within half a mile oi 

 each other, and may be fished upon the same excursion. As 

 stated, the latter is much the better. 



