GRAYLING FISHING. 143 
fish held t2ghtly. Otherwise from its non-fighting pro- 
pensities a large Grayling is very likely to get off: the 
hook also is a good deal encumbered with gentles. When 
first struck, the larger Grayling appear to me to fight as 
an Eel does—pulling tail backwards, instead of running 
down, or away head first as other fish generally do; and 
I hardly ever remember seeing a hooked Grayling spring 
out of water. 
The best spots for grasshopper-fishing have already 
been described. Where the water is deep enough, a 
short line worked almost perpendicularly near the bank 
will be found most successful ; but by throwing out a 
considerable distance, excellent water otherwise inacces- 
sible can often be reached. The cast may be made over 
hand like a fly to a distance of some ten yards, but care 
must be taken to allow the line to spread well behind, 
or otherwise the bait will perform various eccentric 
flights into the water or bushes. A longish light rod, 
say fourteen or fifteen feet, is most convenient for grass- 
hopper-fishing : and the “General Rod,” reel, and line 
recommended for worm-fishing for Trout (p. 112) will be 
found to answer the purpose excellently. 
Asa tule, fish caught with the grasshopper are twice 
as large as those caught with the fly. September, 
October, November, and December are the best months, 
and the best days are usually quiet warm days succeed- 
ing frosty nights—in fact, grasshopper-fishing never 
fairly gets into play until after the first sharpish frost. 
