250 AN ANGLER'S HOURS xiv 



river is still considerable and affords abun- 

 dance of fish- food, and the quality of its water, 

 which at one time was very doubtful, has 

 been steadily improving of recent years. 



Another explanation, which seems more 

 likely, is that the fish are too numerous. 

 A laudable custom prevails amongst the 

 brethren in fact it is more than custom, 

 it is down in black and white as law of 

 returning all fish under certain specified 

 sizes, and with admirable observance of the 

 rules of what is sportsman-like the brethren 

 interpret this law generously, retaining but 

 very few of the fish they catch, and restor- 

 ing to their element many that weigh much 

 more than the prescribed number of ounces. 

 This may have resulted in over-stocking. 

 It is well known that an over-stocked trout- 

 stream is in worse case than an under-stocked 

 one, and the signs of it are unmistakable ; 

 but with coarse fish it is more difficult to 

 tell. Certainly the condition of our dace 

 has not fallen off; they are as game for 

 their size as trout, and when they are in 

 the mood give very pretty sport to the 

 fly-rod. 



Immediately below the shallow begin the 



