PRACTICAL FLY-FISHER. 35 



the larger flies ; viz., the Green Drake, the March Brown, and 

 other larger insects. 



The Duns are favourite flies with me all the year, commencing 

 with the Blue Dun in March and April. The Yellow Dun, Iron 

 Blue Dun, on cold windy days. July Dun, Dun Cut, Blue Gnat, 

 and Willow Fly. These will be found among the most killing 

 flies, if varied according t season and weather. 



The Spider fly and Alder fly are good Grayling flies, and kill 

 well in the Kye. 



The Grayling spawns at the end of April, and beginning of 

 May ; the period varying a little from the temperature of the 

 stream, and does not, like the Trout, ascend the river to do so, but 

 deposits the ova in the stream it usually inhabits. The young fry 

 may be caught with the fly (at which they rise freely) in the 

 September and October following ; being about six or eight niches 

 in length. In twelve months they will become fish of half a pound 

 weight. 



The Grayling in these Northern rivers rarely gets to weigh 

 more than two pounds ; although I have taken a fish in the Rye 

 weighing two and a-half pounds : the average of size is more 

 frequently from half a pound to one and a-half pounds. During 

 the breeding season they may be seen swimming in shallow water, 

 and only move off very slowly into the pool when disturbed ; being 

 at all times a much bolder fish than the Trout. They are more 

 particular than the Trout in taking the fly, and will frequently 

 "rise short" at it much to the annoyance of the Angler, for a 

 whole day together. 



Having briefly described the habits and habitats of the Grayling, 

 I shall proceed to notice the three Rivers intended by the Author. 

 And first as to the Yore, or Ure, which rises in the mountainous 

 district on the confines of Westmoreland and Yorkshire ; and in its 

 course towards Hawes in Wensleydale, is joined by three or four 

 small streams from Shunner, Widdale, and Dodd Fells. From 



