MOUNTAIN TARNS 155 



to its being immediately against the watershed, it 

 is a rather late tarn. In the summer of 1896 the 

 tarn was run off for repairs to the sluice, when the 

 writer saw thousands of trout, averaging three and 

 four to the pound. There were no big fish and no 

 very small ones. As many as possible were saved, 

 these being placed in the " dubs " of the fell becks 

 until the tarn was again allowed to fill, when they 

 were replaced in the water. Staveley (Kendal and 

 Windermere line) is the best centre from which to 

 fish the tarn. 



ELTKR WATER 



Elter Water is an irregular sheet of water (186 feet 

 above sea level), situate at the point of divergence 

 of the Great and Little Langdales. It contains 

 pike and perch, a prodigious number of eels, but 

 few trout. These are large in size, but deficient 

 in quality. Pike are mainly taken by trimmers. 

 The only good trout (smaller than those in the 

 tarn) are the occasional migrants from the Elter 

 and Little Langdale becks. In the narrow stretch 

 of meadow between these two deltas excellent 

 sport is had. Nearly the whole of the left bank 

 is fringed by coppice, and this side provides the 

 best fishing. Another good place is near the 

 Brathay outlet. A chain of islets almost divides 

 the lake. The boats are private property. This 

 tarn is fairly early ; the best months being April, 

 May and June. Flies woodcock and waterhen. 

 Elterwater is the best centre, whilst Langdale and 

 Skelwith are both convenient. Ambleside is four 

 miles distant ; Grasmere, three and a half. The 

 road from Ambleside to Dungeon Ghyll runs 

 within a few hundred yards of the tarn. 



