MODE OF PROCEEDING. 113 



the thicker half of a three yards fly-cast, and throw 

 out upon either deep or shallow scours, frequented 

 by the grayling, according to the time of the year. 

 The bait must be raised and dropped rapidly and 

 continually, after being duly delivered in the required 

 places, which should be the known haunts of these 

 fish. The line should not be raised more than some 

 four or five inches from the bottom, as the grayling, 

 like barbel, are given to grope for food of the 

 description reproduced in the copy. In some parts a 

 small quill float is used, being attached with a wire 

 loop at each extremity, in lieu of the ordinary runner. 

 By this arrangement a certain amount of freedom is 

 allowed to the line, which admits of its sliding at 

 various depths from the surface, whilst the bait has a 

 roving commission. For our own part, we have 

 always managed to use the bait comfortably without 

 the aid of one of these articles. The use of a float 

 in clear water, whilst fishing for so keen-eyed a fish as 

 the grayling, is anything but artistic or sportsman- 

 like. When fish are repeatedly missed, it. is advisable 

 to secure a small brown twig to the line by wire, in 

 the same way as the sliding float is arranged, as 

 this will not, especially upon densely wood-lined 

 streams, act detrimentally as regards sport. 



The originator of the artificial grub system of 

 grayling -fishing (Hewett Wheatly) we are aware, 

 counselled the use of a float, but since the appearance 

 of his " Rod and Line," the fish have become so much 

 more suspicious and wary, that not even a senior 

 angler can, with impunity, transgress accepted rules 



I 



