33 



by a first-rate fly fisher, for he is the only person most likely to 

 make a faultless rod. Your reel should be a common two inch 

 wood one, and your line made of all silk, plaited and prepared. 

 I prefer a prepared line to any other for fly fishing, because it is 

 strong, waterproof, and light, and you can throw with it better 

 than with any other. You may put on as many flies as you 

 like; one, two, three, or four. I generally fish with four. 

 Select the sharpest stream you can find it can never be too 

 rapid for Grayling from two to four feet deep. Commence at 

 the top of the stream, and fish it down. Cast your flies 

 straight across the stream, allowing them to go along with the 

 current as long as possible. Let your flies drop lightly on the 

 water, and let your lash be perfectly extended and straight. "When 

 you get a rise strike gently. Some fly fishers prefer not strik- 

 ing at all, allowing the fish to hook itself, but I have seen many 

 a good fish lost by this dodge. I recommend a gentle strike. 

 Do not, when you have hooked a fish, keep him in too hard, as 

 the Grayling has a tender mouth and might break away. Put 

 on a gentle pressure, giving him line if he wants it. 



BOTTOM FISHING FOE GEAYLING. 



Your rod must be twelve feet long, and very light ; a Eoach 

 rod, in fact, will do very well. Your line must be made of all 

 silk, twisted soft. It must be very fine, and a hundred yards 

 of it should not weigh more than a quarter of an ounce. Pro- 

 vide yourself with a quill float. Your tackle should be one yard 

 long, and made of fine gut. The hook, if you are going to fish 

 with wasp grub, cadbait, or any other sort of grub, should be a 

 No. 9. If you are to fish with the worm, use a No. 7. or No. 

 8 round bend. Let your bottom shot be 9 inches from the 

 hook. 



Select a likely place. If the water be a clear sharpish stream, 

 from three to four feet of water will be a suitable depth ; and 

 if the water be coloured, two or three feet deep will be suffi- 

 cient, and the stream must be much slower. Never fish a quick 



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