THE FELL BECKS 121 



yalley on the Midland Railway, from Wild Boar 

 Fell to Carlisle, look out of the windows and see 

 the Eden at its source, and occasionally farther 

 down the valley where it has increased in size. In 

 passing through the old Inglewood Forest district, 

 between Lazonby and Carlisle, they catch glimpses 

 of its most beautiful parts. It has then taken in 

 the Eamont, and is a big, streamy river of great 

 attraction. 



These travellers, however, see nothing of the 

 beck feeders, which have eaten their way deep 

 down into the mountain gorges, and lower well- 

 wooded ravines. Many anglers may be likened to 

 travellers on main lines and great turnpikes. 

 They miss, by their neglect of the becks, the less 

 known, but frequently more beautiful, and at times 

 profitable, by-ways of their sport. Their member- 

 ship of some association, or tenancy of a famous 

 river, ties them down to the beaten track. 



In this connection it may be said that one has 

 only to buy a motor-car to be condemned to follow 

 the steam-roller. To have the keeper at your elbow 

 is at best shared sport. Thoreau said he would 

 " rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to himself, 

 than be crowded on a velvet cushion." And so it 

 may be said of fell beck fishing, for it is better 

 to leave your society behind you if you wish to 



