THE GRAYLING 



THE Grayling is not so plentiful in Scotland as it is in England. It 

 is found in a few of the Border streams, and in the rivers Clyde and 

 Tweed grayling are very numerous. The farthest north river in which 

 it has established itself is the Isla in Perthshire. This river swarms 

 with them, and they are the finest grayling I have seen, the average 

 weight of those I have caught here being over a pound. Many of 

 them, however, are from i to 3 Ibs., and sometimes over. So plentiful 

 are they that when fishing for pike on one occasion our men brought 

 ashore twelve dozen in one haul of the net. No doubt, in the course 

 of time, this will be one of the most famous places for grayling in 

 Great Britain. The river is a very large one, and is in many places 

 from 60 to 90 yards wide. It is deep, flows smoothly, and has a 

 mud bottom and plenty of food which suits their taste. These 

 grayling were introduced at Kenmore about thirty years ago by 

 Lord Breadalbane. The Tay being too rapid a river, no doubt led 

 them to seek more suitable quarters, and some had found their way 

 into the quiet waters of the Isla, where they are now fairly established. 

 Grayling spawn about April, and are not worth catching until August 

 or September, although October and November are the best months. 

 Their flesh is white, and when in good condition is quite good for the 

 table. They rise freely to fly, but are more difficult to catch when in 

 good condition. A small dry fly is usually the most successful lure, and 

 in cold, frosty weather a small red worm does well. Although one may 

 sometimes get " here and there a lusty trout, and here and there a gray- 

 ling," where grayling increase in numbers trout diminish accordingly. 



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