The Edible Qualities of the Fish. 239 



and therefore much bolder than the trout. He is 

 not so good to angle for." Bowlker testifies that 

 "when fairly hooked it is easily subdued." Mr 

 Francks quaintly tells us that "the mouth of the 

 grayling waters after every wasp, as his fins flutter 

 after every fly ; for if it be but a fly, or the produce 

 of an insect, out of a generous curiosity he is ready 

 to entertain him." Mr Elaine's opinion is that 

 " the grayling is an inanimate fish when hooked." 

 Even "Ephemera," who acknowledges that the 

 grayling is " a favourite fish " of his, is constrained 

 to admit that " it takes a fly boldly, but does not 

 show much boldness after having taken it and been 

 hooked ; " and that though " it is a gamesome fish, 

 it is not a game one." To capture a brace of such 

 creatures may by some of our Southern friends be 

 esteemed a fine art and gentle; but, pray, let all 

 anglers who are also sportsmen reserve, if possible, 

 their tackle and their talent for a worthier fish. 



Some consideration might be shown for the 

 grayling if it possessed even that secondary quali- 

 fication of a good fish the power to evoke pleasur- 

 able anticipations when there rings out 



" That tocsin of the soul, the dinner-bell." 



Tastes differ, and there may be grayling and 

 grayling; but if I am to judge from those that I 

 have tried and they were in their best season 



