DRAKE FISHING IN THE DOVE. 231 



the Dove. Centuries ago this river was considered 

 the best stream for trout fishing in England, and it 

 still bears the palm for Drake fishing. In this re- 

 nowned dale, which not only takes its name, but 

 whose sylvan scenery derives an indescribable charm 

 from the river, the flies are far more numerous than 

 on any other stream. This may be due to various 

 causes, the sheltering of rocks and foliage, or the 

 geological formation of the bed of the river. This, 

 however, we pass over; suffice it that the Green 

 Drake, when scarce and almost a failure elsewhere, 

 is to be found in clouds in Dovedale. Here fisher- 

 men of all grades throng the banks of bonny Dove 

 with almost every conceivable equipment ; long 

 men with short rods, small men with large ones 

 from the youthful novice to the venerable old fly 

 fisher of seventy years. 



And now, with our reader's kind permission, we 

 will conduct him to a favourite length some distance 

 up stream, keeping a look out meanwhile in our 

 progress as to what is doing. The first object that 

 strikes our notice as we walk leisurely along, is an 

 old man, who sits rod in hand under the friendly 

 shade of some rather overgrown bushes, quietly and 

 contentedly blowing his weed, his eye intently fixed 

 on some object on the water near. 



" Why, he's certainly float fishing," you observe. 



" Not so." we reply; " it is the hale old miller from 

 above, who has been tempted by the morning's 

 bright promise of this being a good day with the 

 Drake, with one of which he is dibbing or daping 



