234 FLY FISHING FOR GRAYLING. 



fully as the shiest trout and have been amply 

 rewarded. 



On these days of a persistent downstream 

 wind, when the fish appeared to feel themselves 

 secure, the plan I found best was to approach 

 the place from below upon a morning when no 

 preliminary casting over them had taken place, 

 and then make up one's mind either to counter- 

 act the wind and the drag of the long line, or 

 else to leave them alone. With much high 

 grass behind it is almost impossible; but in 

 the place referred to the water meadows were 

 smooth and close cropped. 



It is important to vaseline the line well, not 

 only the taper end but all the centre thick 

 portion, as this enables it to fly through the 

 rings easily. 



Then uncoil a sufficient quantity to effect a 

 cast of a full twenty yards say the length of 

 a cricket pitch. Indeed this is all I found I 

 could manage without a hitch up in the grass 

 behind. By coiling a portion of the line on 

 the ground just at one's feet, and retaining 

 another five or six loops in the left hand it is 

 easy enough to begin making false casts 

 upstream against a quiet wind, each time 

 increasing the length of the line. By the time 

 three quarters of the necessary line is in the 

 air you are ready for the fish you have spotted. 



Continue to throw so that the heavy portion 

 of the line will fall upon the water upstream 

 in a curve well above the fly; then, just while 

 the line is travelling towards the desired place, 



