An Anglers Paradise. 43 
been in the past to drain away the waters and lower the levels of 
lakes in many localities. 
In a great many instances where similar arrangements have 
been carried out, considerable damage to the fisheries has resulted. 
The doubtful quality of the land reclained, in many cases, has not 
at all compensated for the cost of the work, plus the amount of 
depreciation which has accrued to the fishing. ‘The levels of 
some of these lakes are now being raised again, and some of the land 
adjoining them submerged, and where this work is properly carried 
out it results in considerable benefit to the fishing of such pieces 
of water. The Loch Leven of the present day is too well known 
to need much description ; suffice it to say, that owing to the 
praiseworthy efforts of those who have it in charge, a large and 
valuable stock of fish is maintained by means of artificial culti- 
vation. The pike, which used to be plentiful in the loch, are also well 
attended to, no pains being spared to reduce the numbers of 
these voracious fish. 
As far as regards our fresh waters, at least, there is no doubt 
that when properly cultivated they are valuable, and there is great 
room for making improvements in this direction. There are, 
indeed, so many instances in which the benefits of aquaculture 
are plainly seen, that the fact needs but little demonstration. 
Where a little has been already done much more can be done; 
the great desideratum is the knowledge as to how to do it, and 
this highly important part of the subject I shall endeavour to deal 
with pretty fully in the second part of this book. 
There is another “ Angler’s Paradise” which is, I trust, on 
the verge of great improvement, and that is the English Lake 
District. Knowing it as I do, and having spent a goodly portion 
of my life there, I have perhaps a right to speak with some 
authority on a subject in which I have taken the deepest interest. 
The natural advantages and resources which this district possesses 
are difficult to estimate. The only question that can be asked is: 
how are they to be developed to the best advantage? This is the 
great question which has to be faced in attempting to deal with 
these resources. Where so many fisheries occur in such close 
juxtaposition with each other, as they often do in this district, it 
requires a clear course and a good deal of forethought, based 
