Fly Fishing for Grayling, 1 8 1 



These, with the Iron Blue, would always ensure 

 some sport ; as for that Pale Evening Blue, when 

 he came on one would be almost inclined to shut 

 up and go home, as it is the most difficult fly to 

 imitate, and yet it is most deadly if it could be 

 properly done. The river boils when that fly 

 comes on, and yet rarely will the black-backed 

 beauties take your imitation. Grayling, however, 

 are peculiar in their likes and dislikes. When the 

 Pale Blue has been thick on the water, I have 

 taken fish after fish with the Claret Spinner. 

 When the Whirling Blue has been swarming, I 

 have filled my basket with big fish, all taken with 

 the Red Tag. Patience in grayling fishing always 

 has its reward. I have seen men change and 

 change their flies, disgusted at seeing fish rising 

 under their feet and not taking their fly, until they 

 would give up and go away. Don't go on whip- 

 ping over these fish ; change the venue ; probably 

 at the next stream or pool the first cast with 

 the fly, useless a few minutes ago, will take a fish, 

 and then another and another. Don't be in a hurry 

 to change your flies, and if fish are capricious as 

 in this way, fish with only one fly. I have 

 killed many a fish in these still pools with one 

 small fly and the finest of lines, letting the fly 

 drop lightly on the water, and then allow it to sink. 

 At the slightest movement in the water, strike 



