156 FISHING IN EDEN 



part of the new by-law which allows of netting for 

 the purpose of facilitating the destruction of fish 

 injurious to the salmon and trout fisheries. 



Pike and chub are always dealt with unmerci- 

 fully, if not sufficiently methodically. Grayling 

 are looked upon, at any rate on the Upper Eden, 

 with more favour. In their season, from August to 

 February, they provide both good sport and 

 food. 



The question in regard to grayling is as to the 

 extent to which they deplete the number of trout 

 by competition in the available food supply, and by 

 depredations into the spawning beds of the trout. 

 There can be no doubt that they consume a big 

 share of the food supply of the river, and, on this 

 account, are serious competitors with the trout. 

 Rigorous netting is therefore desirable. 



The possible harm that grayling may do in raiding 

 the spawning beds of the trout is altogether a more 

 doubtful question. Grayling do not, as a general 

 rule, run up the fell becks. On the other hand 

 Eden trout spawn chiefly in the high tributary 

 streams. Spawning trout run up the becks with 

 the first autumn floods, and remain there until the 

 early Spring. There is a good deal to be said for 

 the local opinion that trout, being on the spot at the 

 right time, are likely to play greater havoc with the 



