162 AN ANGLER'S YEAR 



make a parting almost inevitable should the fish get the 

 full strength of the current in its favour. 



In fishing dry, practically trout methods should be 

 employed save and except that such care need not be 

 taken to avoid drag ; and if a fish is risen and missed, 

 the angler may go on casting with a fair hope of hook- 

 ing him sooner or later. 



The grayling at Hungerford run to a good size, 

 although perhaps the largest specimens do not rise 

 freely to fly. Six or eight fish from |lb. to l|lb. each 

 may be looked upon as a fair day's work, while occasion- 

 ally a fish of 21bs. may be got hold of. Higher up the 

 river, I was informed by a friend who was netting a 

 private water above that they had taken in one draw of 

 the net, 30 large grayling from 2|lbs. to 31bs. apiece, 

 but such have never fallen to the lot of the writer or 

 any of his brother fly-fishers. 



The sport is practically over for the day at 4 p.m., 

 when a cup of tea at the " Bear," and a change out of 

 waders into warm dry clothes will fill in the time until 

 the fast up-train at 5.15 p.m., getting the grayling-fisher 

 back to London by a minute or two before seven. 



In conclusion a word is necessary about waders. In 

 the trout section, it was recommended that the waders 

 be occasionally turned down during the day ; when 

 grayling fishing, wear thick long stockings and knicker- 

 bockers under the waders, keeping a pair of dry trousers 

 and stockings in which to travel home. Don't move the 

 wading stockings till you take them off. The risk of chill 

 is too great. Breast waders should never be worn for this 

 work ; they are unnecessary and dangerous. It should 

 be remembered that frequently during winter grayling- 

 fishing, the water is warmer than the air, therefore 

 don't stand about on the banks, especially if there is 

 any wind. 



Some fishing can be done without waders, although 

 knee-boots are necessary to keep the feet dry and are 

 nearly as much trouble as waders. 



