THE GRAYLING. 31 L 



It may involve the change of a fly, but the result will most probably 

 justify the trouble in a good two-pounder. By the bye, grayling rarely 

 exceed 41b. Jesse, the well-known author of " An Angler's Eambles," 

 records one of 4lb., which was sent him by a member of the Houghton 

 Club, and says : " Mr. Pennant mentions one which was taken near 

 Ludlow above half a yard in length, and weighing 41b. 6oz." Yarrell 

 speaks of three weighing 121b., from Kingwood, one of 51b. near 

 Shrewsbury, and Nillson refers to grayling 81b. and 91b. in Lapland, but 

 the extreme weight renders it uncertain if the species is the same. 



The reader having thus borne with me while I descanted on the 

 technicalities of the grayling and his capture will also, I make no doubt, 

 follow me as I describe an ideal morning's grayling fishing. 



It is November, and the grey dawn has just made its appearance in the 

 far east ; but the chilliness of the night watches and the silence are yet over 

 all. A spring from the warm bed, and a plunge into the awaiting cold 

 bath, are like honest criticism, not especially pleasant, but bracing and 

 invigorating when the first shock is over ; and as I apply the rough towel 

 with briskness the prospect through the open window (all fishermen and 

 those likely to expose themselves to "weather" should sleep with the 

 window well open) brightens, and a line of silver, followed by gleams 

 of pale sheeny light, proclaims the near advent of the god of day. The 

 useful spirit lamp is lighted, and by the time I am dressed a steaming 

 cup of chocolate is ready fit fortification against the sharp air of the 

 morning. 



Down-stairs I stealthily creep, lest the other occupants still in the 

 embraces of the sleepy deity turn over and anathematize my wide-awake 

 self and the fascinations of the " gentle craft." Imprecations are not 

 well laid out when expended on fish and fishermen . 



I pass through the hall door, creel on back and rod in hand, and the 

 beauty of the crisp frosty November morning bursts fully upon me. 

 Sunrise from Chamounix may fill the heart with transports ; sunset on 

 Como may delight us with glories of colour and perfumed breezes. But 

 to me the beauty of an English sunrise over the varied luxuriance of 

 foliage in summer, and the " myriads of topaz lights and jacinth work 

 of subtlest jewellery " like the hilt of Excalibur when in early winter 

 the hoar frost gems the fairy branches of the birch and the remaining 

 leaves of the beach, and scatters diamonds broadcast over the green lawn 

 is far superior. Half the sweetness of nature is in one's own appre- 

 ciation. How much, therefore, is the scene enhanced when fraught with 

 the expectation of sport, whereof the world provides none surpassing 

 successful grayling fishing. 



Winding amid dells and through grots .of unexampled solitude and 



