y» ANGLING FOB GAME FISH. 



The rod and tackle for grayling are the same as those 

 used for river trout, but the gut near the fly must be very 

 fine. I never use more than two flies, and in quiet, clear 

 water often do best with only one. On the subject of dry- 

 fly fishing there is little to add to the remarks in Chapter II. 

 The great point is to distinguish a rising trout from a 

 rising grayling. The trout will keep near the surface, and 

 may often be seen, while the grayling keeps near the bottom, 

 except just at the moment of rising. The grayling often 

 shows his back fin when he takes the fly, and Dr. Hamilton 

 tells me that two or three bubbles are nearly always left 

 after a rise. I have not noticed this myself. 



In wet-fly fishing it is usual to cast right across the stream, 

 and allow the flies to slowly sweep round. Strike quickly and 



Crimson Tag. Dark Needle. Fog Black. 



Fig. 63. Cast of Grayling-flies for North-country Streams. 



delicately at the least indication of a rise, and play the fish 

 very tenderly, as he has a mouth from which the hook easily 

 comes away. If he rises, but misses the fly, still go on 

 casting. A grayling will sometimes rise short half a dozen 

 times, and at last get hooked. In rather still water, which 

 you would not dream of fishing for trout, let the fly sink 

 well, and strike at the slightest movement in the water or 

 tightening of the line. Never cast up stream with the wet 

 fly for grayling. In the autumn and winter, do not lose heart 

 and go home because you have no rises; the fish may begin 

 to feed at any moment, and in one short half-hour you may 

 retrieve the fortunes of the day. 



Bait-fishing for grayling should only be practised on 

 streams where the large fish absolutely refuse a fly, or in 



