THE EDEN AS A TROUTING RIVER 155 



length from Kirkoswald to Wetherall is perhaps 

 unsurpassed in this country for perfection of river 

 scenery. 



All the way from its source at the top of the dale 

 of Mallerstang down to Carlisle, where it becomes 

 tidal, it passes through no large towns. Appleby 

 and Kirkby Stephen, the two largest places on its 

 non-tidal banks, are but small market towns of some 

 two or three thousand inhabitants. None of the 

 few farming villages on its banks reach a popula- 

 tion of over two or three hundred people, and, in 

 spite of any netting that has been carried on by 

 licence, the Eden has always borne a good stock 

 of trout. 



The spawning grounds in the fell becks are ideal 

 in every way. Fish food of all kinds is abundant, 

 and includes besides minnows, leeches and bull- 

 heads, a wide range of aquatic insects. 



There are pike in some of the deep pools of the 

 Lower, but none in the Upper, Eden. 



Grayling were put into the river at Musgrave 

 about forty years ago, and have thriven and multi- 

 plied at such a rate, in the too kind waters of the 

 Upper Eden, that the charge brought against them 

 of abusing hospitality cannot be said to be unfair. 



There are chub in some of the deep flats. 



Pike, chub, and grayling all come under that 



