FLY FISHING FOR GRAYLING. 229 



to know better. The tyro with his new outfit 

 in mid May frequently finds the trout too much 

 for him. All he can attract are out of season 

 grayling. Well, the October grayling is vastly 

 different; and when hooked in a Test or Itchen 

 shallow on a drawn gut cast can show a 

 prolonged fight equal to and sometimes better 

 than a trout. That from the nature of the 

 tackle he requires far nicer handling to avoid 

 a parting in mid stream is undeniable, owing 

 to the tenderness of his mouth in a great 

 measure. Once let him set up a paddle wheel 

 splashing in sight of the net and unless well 

 hooked through the lip he will be free, perhaps 

 floating away so exhausted by this last 

 successful effort that it is even worth while 

 trying to net him out a yard or so lower down. 



In early October grayling may be found on 

 the rise in suitable places almost the whole 

 time, although on a cloudless day from 10 a.m. 

 to 2 p.m. will probably account for the bulk 

 of your catch. They do not feed as well in 

 the dark as trout, but when they do not only 

 are they heavy fish but are more decided about 

 it than at other times. Anyone more desirous 

 of taking home a full two pounder than of 

 scoring in the matter of quantity, should make 

 up his mind where to . go from five to six 

 o'clock. That is a time when larger fish will 

 come close into the bank and take sedges or 

 their imitation with confidence. 



Treat them just as you would a September 

 trout by making a careful stalk, expecting the 



