Wild Exmoor 77 



spring. Other attempted improvements have 

 failed in the same way : the peat and heather 

 seem to defy the hand of man ; and his 

 little efforts to rob hill and dale of their 

 natural grandeur and obdurate ruggedness 

 are quite futile. 



Early in the cold bright morning we were 

 up to fish the Barle as far down as Land- 

 acre Bridge, or perhaps to wooded Withypoole. 

 These upper reaches of the stream between 

 Landacre and Simonsbath are undeniably 

 a little monotonous ; one continuous brawl 

 over rocks and stones, with none of those 

 deep, mysterious pools so delightful to the 

 angler's heart ; nor are there any swift, smooth 

 * runs.' At Withypoole, indeed, the Barle 

 alters considerably in aspect, presenting a 

 wide variety of river scenery : deep pools, 

 ' stickles,* and quiet ' runs.' Yet, even at 

 and above Simonsbath, the Barle to my mind 

 is a lovely stream. 



It is shining and snowing by fits, and con- 

 sequently sport is very moderate ; but here 

 and there, during the short snow-storms, we 



