146 A FEW HINTS 



venience of changing it : and, after having had 

 a tolerable number of rises at the imperfect 

 hook, seek out your friends, and complain that 

 "really the fish rise uncommon short to-day." 

 Neither pry too closely into the condition of 

 your gut, after having used it for some time 

 — nor on a windy day — nor after hooking 

 weeds, trees, and such-like vegetable matters. 

 If you do, you will be sure to find it knotted, 

 twisted, frayed, or in some unaccountable pre- 

 dicament, which will not increase your pleasure 

 or happiness one iota. 



" Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." 



A Grayling never rises at a fly till it has 

 passed o^^er or close by him. He then shoots 

 with extraordinary rapidity upwards, but back- 

 ivards, and thus secures the insect. (His upper 

 lip, projecting considerably over his under, in- 

 capacitates him from taking the fly while before 

 him, as the Trout does. Were he to try this 

 experiment, his protruding upper lip would but 



