122 FISHING IN EDEN 



realise, and enjoy, the stillness of the vast sombre 

 chambers of the hills where rivers are born. 



It is generally in July and August that fishermen 

 who know turn their attention to the hill-burns, and 

 do very well indeed on them. But I am not recom- 

 mending them entirely on account of the baskets 

 they provide. My chief point is that they do 

 afford, besides sport, a really pleasant change, and 

 take one away from the great and, as it were, dusty 

 thoroughfares. Becks are not meant for great 

 doings, but baskets are taken out of them that would 

 compare favourably with those taken out of the 

 river. 



In considering the question of fishing these becks 

 one of the chief points to be taken into account is 

 the distance to be covered in the day. A reference 

 to the sketch map provided will show the chief 

 tributaries of the Upper and Lower Eden to 

 Armathwaite. A fairly vigorous man could start 

 at the bottom of any one of them and arrive well 

 up into the hills by tea-time. But if less exertion 

 is desired these becks can be split into halves, the 

 Lower and the Upper, and the choice decided 

 beforehand. 



Waders are useful in the lower reaches, but not 

 absolutely necessary, excepting in the Eamont. 



If it is decided to go right up into the naked fell 



