Notes and Sport of a Dry -Fly Purist. 183 



me, and another grayling was landed, like the last 

 in size and bright silvery condition, and weighing 

 14oz. 



It was now three o'clock, darkling and gloomy, 

 with sleet falling, and dispiriting to a degree ; but 

 as I was well protected from the inclemency of the 

 weather, and it was the last day of the old and 

 eventful year, I decided to keep on for another hour, 

 especially as my return train was not due until 4.22. 

 Moreover, from the two meadows close handy that 

 I before passed some further good sport might be 

 expected with confidence, for on one occasion in 

 November a rod in three hours killed seven and a 

 half brace of grayling there. Bushes at the margin 

 prevented easy casting from the lower meadow, and 

 one's hook too often caught in the trees, when tire- 

 some breakages had to be repaired, against time 

 as it were, fulfilling the old saw of " more haste less 

 speed." But from the other meadow everything 

 was in my favour, and on crouching low at 

 the side I noticed three or four small rings, 

 evidently made by grayling, on the smooth 

 glide of mid-stream all within reach without 

 moving, and over which alternately my small 

 red quill lightly fell, with good effect, in 

 two instances luring victims to their fate, and 

 making up four and a half brace in four 

 hours. 



