306 THE PRACTICAL FIS HERMAN. 



" When the fisherman conies upon a favourable place for grayling, he 

 should recollect that this fish does not follow the fly as the trout does, 

 and should therefore allow it to float down the stream in a natural 

 way, for should a grayling be waiting for it, wken it is drawn away, the 

 fish will be disappointed of that which it was the fisherman's intention 

 to entertain him with. 



" It must also be remarked here that the mouth of the grayling is 

 much more tender than that of the trout ; therefore much more care in 

 landing is required, and a landing net is generally indispensable, 

 especially when the banks are high, for the mouth will seldom bear the 

 weight of the fish out of the water." 



Thus Eonalds, and I may here fitly add the names and markings of the 

 flies given by Jesse : 



" Spider Fly. End of April. Very killing, both for trout and shett 

 grayling. Body, either pale grey silk or strand of peacock's hard, with 

 the green stripped off it. Wing, woodcock or grouse feather. Legs, 

 black hackle, and made long. 



" Fern Fly. June till end of September. Body, bright orange silk. 

 Wings, light woodcock feather. Legs, red hackle. A capital fly. 



" Red Ant Fly. Body, peacock's hard, and crimson, with silk under 

 the wings. Wing, stare's feather. Legs, red hackle. From end of June 

 till middle of September. 



"Seg Fly. Middle of September till end of October. Wing, land 

 rail's feather. Body, as near the same colour as possible. This and the 

 next 



" The pale blue, or 'Fisherman's Curse,' from its being so diflicult to 

 imitate. Two of the best flies in the whole year. The only thing I ever 

 found to succeed for the wing or legs is the feather of the tern or sea 

 swallow ; and the body of the same coloured dubbing, mixed with a little 

 yellow. 



" Light Willow. September and October. 



" Dark Willow. End of September till December. 



"A blue dun and dark palmer," says Jesse, " I never found fish refuse 

 in any river I ever yet fished in, and a little red palmer, made from the 

 very moon of the peacock's feather, grayling will take at all seasons of 

 the year." 



The rod need not vary much in grayling fly-fishing from that used when 

 trout are being sought for. I usually find a light single-handed fly 

 rod of ordinary make sufficiently near the mark. The reel and line 

 recommended for that will also do, and the flies should in all cases be 

 smaDer and made with the greatest nicety. In approaching the water one 

 ought to be exceedingly careful to remain as nearly unseen as possible. 



