THE DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT. 109 



patches of furze and aged thorns, scattered over the edges of the 

 bale, and then traces out the glassy stream as it meanders through 

 the naked and desolate-looking scene. As we move forward, the 

 Dale assumes a deeper and more concentrated aspect, and appears 

 completely hemmed in near a locality called Sharplow, which rises 

 very abruptly from the edge of the waters. Here the stream becomes 

 extremely imposing." 



The river Blyth is a stream worthy of the angler's attention : it 

 falls into the Trent at King's Bromley. It has two feeders, the 

 Soar and the Peak, in both of which trout are to be had, especially 

 with worm, after a summer's rain. The river Tame comes from 

 the vicinity of Coleshill, and has many fine rippling streams, which 

 an angler's eyes delight to look upon. The minnow, especially after 

 a flooded state of the waters, does great execution. We have wit- 

 nessed fine baskets of fish taken at such times. 



The Dement is a first-rate river : the chief angling stations upon 

 it are Baslow, Rowsley Bridge, and Matlock. The stream below 

 the last-named place is not so fruitful of sport as the several 

 localities above it. 



The whole course of the river is about sixty miles. "In the 

 space of forty miles," says a writer, " which includes the whole 

 course of the river from the highest and wildest parts of the Peak 

 to the town of Derby, scenery more richly diversified with beauty 

 can hardly anywhere be found. Generally, its banks are luxuriantly 

 wooded ; the oak, the elm, the alder, and the ash, flourish abund- 

 antly along its course, beneath the shade of whose united branches 

 the Derwent is sometimes secluded from the eye of the traveller, 

 and becomes a companion for the ear alone; then, suddenly 

 emerging into day, spreads through a more open valley, or winding 

 round some huge mountain or rocky precipice, reflects their dark 

 sides as it glides beneath. Sometimes, this ever-varying and ever- 

 pleasing stream precipitates its foaming waters over the rugged 

 projections and rocky fragments that interrupt its way ; again the 

 ruffled waves subside, and the current steals smoothly and gently 

 through the vale, clear and almost imperceptible in motion." 



The rivers Manifold and Wye are likewise good Derbyshire 

 waters. In fact, this entire district is calculated to give the angling 

 tourist every degree of satisfaction. The streams are all such as 

 to please, both by their fishing capabilities, as well as by the lovely 

 and interesting scenery which adorns their banks in every locality. 

 These range of waters can be reached from the metropolis in a few 

 hours by railway, and the means of transit from one section of them 

 to another can readily be obtained at a trifling cost. 



Should the angler wish to extend his journey further north, there 

 is a fine tour lying before him from Derbyshire, embracing the 

 counties of York, Durham, and Northumberland. Here there is 

 fine fishing ; and we shall endeavour to point out, as briefly as we 

 can, the chief spot* in this wide range of waters which are fitted to 

 yield a fair chance of good sport. 



