KEEN SIGHT OF THE GRAYLING. 253 



hundred and ninety-nine chances to a thousand, be 

 grievously disappointed ; an odd brace, indeed, may 

 be considered the average yield per diem of the 

 nondescript artificials. 



Our earnest endeavours have always been to put 

 the novice in the way for thorough sport ; and having 

 this object in our mind's eye, we would impress 

 upon the mind of such an one that, although in an 

 exceptional way a fish now and again at rare intervals 

 may^be turned over by almost anything in the shape 

 of an artificial, usually they are found to be more 

 expert in discerning the points of difference between 

 a natural and its copy than any trout that ever 

 evaded hook. Their visual organs we believe to be 

 superior to those of any other fish ; for, although they 

 habitually lie at the bottom of the water, they are not 

 only greater adepts at fly-catching, but can discern 

 the most trivial deficiency in colour of any imitation 

 of what may be so monopolizing their attention. 

 Prodigious takes of these fish are often secured,* when 

 fully upon the rise at the flies with which the water's 

 surface is laden ; but these are effected by an exercise 

 of considerable proficiency and caution on the part of 

 the rodster. The October shade of the Iron Blue 

 Dun order, the April shade of the Olive Duns, 

 together with the Willow and Needle Flies (small), 

 and Grey Palmer, are the flies that will be found in 



* Since the introduction of artificially hatched trout, in well-nigh 

 unlimited quantities in our rivers and their tributaries, these delicate 

 fish appear to have become more local than was the case before. We 

 see no reason why the artificial propagation of the grayling should not 

 be followed more assiduously in conjunction with that of the trout. 



