254 NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 



this month. In unseasonable weather there are often 

 a multiplicity of winged insects about, each species 

 having but few representatives ; in these circumstances 

 the sunk- fly system may be practised with success. 

 This is more particularly resorted to upon still deeps, 

 when the cast of flies, after being thoroughly satu- 

 rated, are allowed to sink some five inches beneath 

 the water's surface. Here the rodster has to discern 

 by the feel when a fish touches the lure. Grayling 

 will often examine the fly in a very leisurely sort of 

 manner before essaying to finally absorb it. A gentle 

 hitch should always be given before taking the line 

 from the water, as by that means fish are often killed 

 that would otherwise be broken from and lost. It is 

 also necessary to cast direct across stream, a few feet 

 above the rising fish, instead of directly up-stream, as 

 in the case of the trout ; as with a slack line the gray- 

 ling are apt to reject the fly without being hooked, 

 when under water especially. A gradual drawing 

 motion, when not tempting the fish upon the surface, 

 may be described, until the gut collar reaches the 

 rodster's side of the river. The very largest fish take 

 the fly in a remarkably quiet manner, therefore it is 

 essential to give a slight feeling motion of the wrist at 

 the least possible indication of a rise. A marked 

 characteristic of the grayling is, that he will often 

 unconcernedly permit the lure to go by many times 

 before closing upon it. This is exemplified in a very 

 marked degree in grub fishing,* when, after the bait 

 has passed say nineteen times out of twenty, the 



* Of this a separate description has been given. 



