THE GRAYLING, AND BAIT-FISHING FOR. 403 



that gentleman does not give, namely, that when the fish refuse 

 the fly at surface, they will frequently take it if allowed to sink 

 towards the bottom. 



Although instances have been known, and that not infre- 

 quently, of grayling taking the spinning minnow, it is not 

 believed that they resemble trout in their minnow-feeding 

 propensities, or that the minnow forms any important part of 

 their dietary. The best mode of bait-fishing is undoubtedly 

 with the gentle, either in connection with the artificial grass- 

 hopper, or on the hook of an artificial fly, or by itself. 



To take the last first, gentle-fishing with the float is a most 

 killing method of taking the grayling. Indeed, Jones, the fisher- 

 man aforesaid, whose experience is, perhaps, unequalled, has 

 repeatedly told me that he considered it, on the whole, the most 

 deadly method that could be practised and that it will not 

 unfrequently succeed when all other baits fail. It is especially 

 good when the water is too much coloured for flies. The 

 modus operandi is as follows : Take a long stiffish, light 

 rod and a fine running line such as Nottingham silk, for 

 example with very fine gut, or, still better {pace Jones), single 

 hair float-line, and a very small hook, about No. i of my 

 patterns, which should be baited with two gentles, never more. 

 A float about three inches long and exceedingly light should 

 be used, with a single good-sized shot, say No. 3, about three- 

 quarters of a foot above the hooks. 



The float should be light enough for this shot to 'cock' 

 it properly. Choose a very quiet hole or swim, and plumb the 

 depth ; allowing sufficient float-line over to let the shot touch 

 the bottom. For ground bait use gentles simply either carrion 

 or liver and proceed to fish as if for roach, the only difference 

 being that a little more time must be allowed in striking a bite 

 and the stroke should be a very gentle one, as the mouth of 

 the grayling is delicate. It is a good plan in ground-baiting to 

 keep on throwing in a few gentles say half-a-dozen or so at a 

 time so that the attention of the fish may be kept, as it were, 



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