196 AN OPEN CREEL 



grayling went on rising. So I got another brace, one 

 on Tup and the other on Brunton's fancy. At about 

 half-past five came indications of a big hatch of fly 

 beginning, occasional duns appearing on the surface, 

 and fish bulging in all directions ; and, despite a cold 

 evening, a big hatch it proved to be, which lasted till 

 after 7 p.m. Never have I seen the Itchen so disturbed 

 by feeding fish, many of them obviously big trout, and 

 it was a sight to make one appreciate the real wealth of 

 this wonderful river. But nearly all were bulging, and 

 only occasionally could I get one to look at the blue- 

 winged olive which I had put on. But the basket was 

 already pretty heavy, so I did not lose my benevolence, 

 and went home well content with a further two brace 

 of grayling. The catch, with the three trout, was seven 

 brace in all, weighing just about fourteen pounds. At 

 present I have feelings of the kindliest nature towards 

 Salmo thymallus, the noble creature, the sport-giver, 



the but I had better not overdo it, or I shall never 



catch him again. 



