CHAPTEE XIII. 



THE GRAYLING SEASON, 1905. 



DURING the season I had the great privilege and 

 delight of fishing for grayling in the very best- 

 stocked portions of the Itchen at Twyford and 

 Shawford. 



On August llth, five brace were killed ; on the 

 12th, three and a half brace; on the 19th, four 

 brace ; on the 23rd, four brace ; on the 26th, one 

 brace their weights varying from 14oz. to l^lb. 



On August 28th the evening was stormy, and 

 until seven o'clock no signs of flies or of fish 

 breaking the surface of the swollen, breeze -rippled, 

 and strongly running stream could be noticed. I 

 was standing near the swampy margin of the west 

 bank above Shawford Bridge, and with little hope 

 of the prospect for sport improving, when a single 

 dark olive dun floated down, and just as its 

 struggles to dry its wings seemed effectual it rose, 

 but fell on the water again, and instantly a grayling 

 flashed up and took it. And at the second cast my 

 artificial fly. Well hooked and played from the 

 bended rod, it was felt to be a heavy one ; nor 



