78 



THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



ventral and the anal fins, in the graining, are a 

 pale colour." 



As they rise freely at the fly, they afford good 

 sport to the angler, and when in the humour, it 

 is not difficult to fill a pannier with them. They 

 sometimes, though not commonly, exceed half a 

 pound in weight, and are much better eating than 

 the dace. A small feather from the starling's 

 wing, or a bright hackle from a golden plover, 

 dressed upon small hooks, will generally prove 

 successful. Another very killing method, is the 

 sandy feather of a landrail, dressed as for the 

 wings of a fly, and a well cleansed maggot or 

 gentle, as before mentioned for trout. In the 

 early part of the spring they prefer worms, of 

 which a small brandling and gilt-tail are most to 

 be depended upon. 



THE GRAY MULLET 



Is by no means common in the northern coun- 

 ties, and but rarely to be found in Scotland ; 



