98 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



system in vogue of using these large artificial lures is to 

 attach them, tipped with gentles or wasp grubs, to the 

 thicker half of a three yards fly-cast, and throw out upon 

 either deep or shallow scours, frequented by the grayling, 

 according to the time of year. The bait must be raised 

 and dropped rapidly and continually, after being duly 

 delivered in the required places, which should be the 

 known haunts of these fish. The line should not be 

 raised more than some four or five inches from the bot- 

 tom, as the grayling, like barbel, are given to grope for 

 food of the description reproduced in the copy. In some 

 parts a small quill float is used, being attached with a 

 wire loop at each extremity, in lieu of the ordinary run- 

 ner. By this arrangement a certain amount of freedom 

 is allowed to the line, which admits of its sliding at 

 various depths from the surface, whilst the bait has a 

 roving commission. For our own part, we have always 

 managed to use the bait comfortably without the aid of 

 one of these articles. The use of a float in clear water, 

 whilst fishing for so keen-eyed a fish as the grayling, is 

 anything but artistic or sportsmanlike. When fish are 

 repeatedly missed, it is advisable to secure a small brown 

 twig to the line by wire, in the same way as the sliding 

 float is arranged, as this will not, especially upon densely 

 wood-lined streams, act detrimentally as regards sport. 

 The originator of the artificial grub system of grayling- 

 fishing (Hewett Wheatley) we are aware, counselled the 

 use of a float, but since the appearance of his " Rod and 

 Line," the fish have become so much more suspicious 

 and wary, that not even a senior angler can, with impu- 

 nity, transgress accepted rules without paying the pen- 

 alty in net results. When the combination of artificial 

 and natural lures is artistically worked by an adept, the 

 slaughter amongst the heavy fish, which seldom or never 

 rise, is immense. Although grayling are very partial to 

 small baits, having a small mouth, they absorb a bunch 



