138 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
spawning process occupies from three to four days, after 
which the fish return to their own haunts, and are then 
unfit for food until about August; during the inter- 
vening months the spawned fish rarely take the fly or 
bait, and if caught in May or June should be returned to 
the river. The Grayling season begins in August and 
' properly ends with December, as after Christmas the fish 
begin to get heavy in spawn, a condition in whicha 
good sportsman will not kill them, although it cannot 
perhaps be truly said that they are actually unfit for the 
table until after the spawning has taken place. When I 
last fished the Teme, the limit of size under which the 
Leintwardine Club wisely prohibited the taking of 
Grayling was 1o inches. I hear, however, that the club 
rules have been recently revised. 
One year old fish are locally termed “ Pinks”; at two 
years, when they weigh about } lb., they become “ shot” 
or “shut” Grayling ; and afterwards “Grayling.” The 
“ Pink” Grayling have neither spots nor lateral lines 
~ observable. “ Shot” Grayling have spots, but no well- 
marked longitudinal lines as seen in the full-grown fish. 
At three years old the Grayling weighs about 4 lb. in 
average waters, and is supposed to continue growing 
at about the same rate, viz. + lb. per annum, until 
reaching its maximum weight, which may probably be 
considered under ordinary conditions from 4 to 5 pounds. 
A Grayling weighing half a pound spawns, but a “ Shot” 
Grayling does not. 
