NORTH AND SOUTH TYNE. 269 



its former high character in the course of a short time. 

 The whole of the Tyne and its tributaries, excepting 

 that portion belonging to the corporation of Newcastle, 

 is now under the protection of an association of the 

 owners, from whom a written permission must be ob- 

 tained to fish ; the Duke of Northumberland, who also 

 owns a large part of the North Tyne, both towards its 

 source and debouchure, grants a limited number of 

 tickets at ten shillings each. 



About half a mile above the town of Hexham, the 

 North and South Tynes meet, and, joining together, 

 their united waters constitute the Tyne proper. The 

 South Tyne was at one time an excellent breeding river, 

 either for salmon or trout, but of late years, since such 

 quantities of mineral waters have been thrown into it 

 from the extensive lead mines in the district through 

 which it passes, both salmon and trout have almost 

 entirely deserted it. 



The north or main branch of the Tyne rises upon 

 the borders of Scotland, a little to the south of Carter 

 Fell, and pursues a south-east course through the 

 western part of Northumberland, until it is joined by 

 the south branch of the Tyne near Hexham. During 

 its course this river receives a large number of tributa- 

 ries, the chief of which is the river Eeed, which runs 

 into it a short way below Bellingham ; and all, for the 

 most part, though only mountain becks, yet well stocked 

 with trout ; while the latter is a capital fishing water, 

 especially for fly. 



The whole of the North Tyne is a first-class trout 



