Ise, GRR OV IEILING 
Tuer 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 river 
Clyde is now very plentiful. 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 1 to 3 lbs., 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 for them, 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. 
They 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. 
In cold, frosty weather they take a small red worm freely. Although 
one may sometimes get “here and there a lusty trout, and here and 
there a grayling,” usually where grayling increase trout decrease. 
209 2a 
