GRAYLING FISHING. 143 



fish held tightly. 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. 



As a rule, 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. 



