FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 147 



we flogged and fished, the result being simply nil; ten, 

 twelve, and thirteen hours passed away without so much 

 as moving a fin. The summer twilight set in, shadowing 

 the outlines of the surrounding landscape. Still our res- 

 olution was firm, and in keeping with a set purpose we 

 presented the lure more gently, and with greater preci- 

 sion upon the edge of the shadows caused by the rising 

 moon, where the heavy ' switching' sound, repeated at 

 short intervals, proclaimed the daily dinner hour of a 

 veteran. After casting for some time directly over 

 him, we finally hooked the fish. As we had had the 

 discretion to fit up a strong collar * to carry the large fly 

 employed, we had very little difficulty in landing our 

 quarry, which was afterwards found to measure seventeen 

 inches in length, and nine and one-half inches in girth, 

 scaling two and three-quarters pounds, a venerable mons- 

 ter in truth to our boyish eyes. 



Care and patience in execution are required, after the 

 rudiments of the art have been acquired; a non-observance 

 of these is sure to materially interfere with sport. Per- 

 severance is all very well in its place, but when unaided 

 by the exercise of due care and tact in presenting the 

 lure, it will meet with small result. The tyro should 

 therefore practice assiduously, ever bearing in mind that 

 much as he may admire and aspire to a nearer acquaint- 

 ance with the scaly beauties, they are coy and ungrateful. 

 The instant they become aware of his paying them the 

 least attention, they move contemptuously away; and no 

 matter how lovingly he drops them a line, all further 

 correspondence is thanklessly declined. It behooves him 

 therefore to keep out of sight as much as possible, never 

 allowing the sun to extend his shadow across the stream, 

 always also avoiding conspicuously bright clothing; for 

 notwithstanding the naturalist's persistent assertions as 



* The collar, casting line, lash or point are names indiscriminately 

 used in England to designate the leader so called in the United States. 



