1 84 FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 



tackle, being finer, is less calculated to sustain any 

 sudden wrench. This is not the case with larger 

 quarry ; a few weeks', or even days' lake trouting, 

 will put out the hand for fine grayling fishing for some 

 length of time. What we have always found a safe 

 antidote in these cases is to carefully keep a taut line, 

 and immediately a fish rises to give a forward motion 

 of the rod a foot or so. The downward action of the 

 line thus eased, has the effect of sending in the little 

 delicate hook without the most remote chance of 

 danger. This may appear incredible in theory, but 

 we can answer for its efficiency in practice. In rapid 

 stream fishing a modification of the usual twist of the 

 wrist may be given in the case of the grayling, where 

 rapidity is the essential point ; the twist here referred 

 to should describe a downward direction, as when 

 this is done the first action of the rod tip is directly 

 upwards and opposite. The extent of the momentum 

 ranges according to the pliability of the rod. 



PLAYING A FISH comes next in order. The 

 instant a fish is hooked the rod should be mounted 

 at a proper angle, so as to feel the fish. The tactics 

 to be employed vary in accordance with the lay of 

 the water, as also with the conduct of the fish hooked, 

 as when he descends immediately upon being struck, 

 pulling heavily in the deep water, fighting hard for 

 his hold, or neighbouring shelter, it may be certainly 

 inferred that he is safely hooked ; but when he 

 exhibits a tendency to fight it out near the surface, 

 occasionally attempting to clear the water altogether, 

 he is, as a general rule, but lightly hooked, and if 



