Il6 GRUB FISHING FOR GRAYLING. 



pleasure of extracting them ; but we venture to assert 

 that the most fastidious palate would, in similar 

 circumstances, have found their quarry, so primitively 

 yet so skilfully prepared, irresistible. Were we to 

 state the precise quantity of fish so cooked and 

 disposed of by the aid of pocket-knives upon that 

 ever memorable Christmas-eve, we should scarce look 

 for full credit for the statement. Let it suffice, that 

 the intervening miles rapidly disappeared under our 

 re-invigorated footsteps, through the picturesque 

 moonlit Wye valley, enlivened by the beautiful 

 stream, and we arrived comparatively early at our 

 comfortable quarters, and in a state of mind and body, 

 which made the pillow an elysium of repose. 



Maggot and wasp grubs are often used by bottom 

 fishers for grayling, in a style somewhat similar to 

 that adopted in worm-fishing for coarse fish. A quill 

 float and very fine hook and tackle being, of course, 

 substituted. Skillful roach-fishers are proficients at 

 grayling-fishing with these appliances, though the fish 

 are more frequently lost than when roach is the 

 quarry. Ground baiting prevails as a system, but is 

 most certainly unnecessary, as, by an observant angler, 

 the periodical haunts of these gregarious fish are 

 easily discovered. A few hand sprinklings of gentles, 

 etc., cast around the baited hook answers as efficiently 

 as wh6le quarts of the same indiscreetly planted ; 

 indeed, these fish speedily become satiated, and the 

 use of ground-bait is often highly detrimental to 

 subsequent sport. 



