DIARY OF A WET FLY FISHER 149 



lure to be properly sucked down and in. Then 

 successful striking immediately took place, and 

 short shrift was given to the fly-catcher. 



Other flies beside blue bottles were used, and 

 the best of these were the large stone flies. No 

 prowling, under-tree trout could resist this last big 

 morsel. We used also to dap deep with caddis 

 worms and wasp grub; but I merely mention these 

 side issues as part of the general apprenticeship to 

 fishing, and as the result of this unusual entry in 

 the diary. 



Between the end of May and the beginning of 

 September there are few noteworthy entries in the 

 diary. In September fair catches of trout are again 

 recorded ; all on spring flies. There are notes also 

 of grayling caught with such flies as Light Wood- 

 cock, Water-hen, and Light Starling, up to the end 

 of October. 



No special grayling flies are mentioned, but 

 some few local anglers on the Eden do use the Red 

 Tag in addition to the flies named above. 



The diarist is an old friend of my boyhood days, 

 as good a fisherman as " Bob," but more dour and 

 solitary in his habits. He cannot be said to be 

 secretive like old Dick, but, like many sterling men 

 of the north country, he is not given to the wasting 

 of words. Types like " Bob " are less common. 



