FLIES AND FLY FISHING. 63 



You should always use a stiffisli rod, and, when wading, 

 eleven feet is long enough. The cast ought to be of the 

 finest gut you can get good ; three or four flies may be 

 used on your cast the last number is quite sufficient, 

 although many good fishermen use five or even six. The 

 flies must never be worked at all, but, having made your 

 throw across, and about one yard higher up the stream 

 than yourself, follow the line, keeping it taut with the top 

 of your rod, down and again across the stream, until the 

 flies reach the same side as you are on, and always sink 

 your flics as much as possible. It is advisable to fish 

 with not too long a line, as your strike must be so rapid. 



But the greatest care must be taken to keep out of 

 sight for grayling are a most quick-sighted fish, and very 

 easily scared. On a very windy day, when you cannot 

 see the rises, keep your eye on the line, and strike at the 

 very slightest tightening of it. A grayling will often rise 

 short at your flies several times and take at last, and as 

 long as he does rise you may keep throwing over him ; 

 but having covered him twice without a rise, it is better 

 to leave him, or, if worth it, give him a few minutes' rest 

 before trying again. But, supposing the fish to be rising 

 freely all over a rapid stream, I always fish that stream 

 steadily down from head to tail, never hanging or throw- 



