NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 219 



up, as in the case of gallinaceous birds, to sei^e some 

 digestive function. 



In most rivers containing these fish they are not lound 

 in the higher portions ; they seem to prefer the deeper 

 waters, at the bottom of which they lie in the hot months, 

 to avoid the effects of the high temperature of the atmos- 

 phere. Whenever the water is a little discolored the fish 

 will be on the move for food ; a little inclement weather 

 often does wonders in preparing the water and its inhab- 

 itants for the pursuit of sport ; and the most favorable 

 time for the tyro in fly-fishing for grayling is to repair to 

 the river's bank when the water and weather are thus 

 favorable. Grayling will frequently take a sunken fly 

 upon the stills, ofttimes even when some considerable 

 distance below the surface ; but this method need never 

 be resorted to when they care for surface feeding. Upon 

 windy days the Cinnamon fly is often found useful 

 amongst the trout, which are as partial to the larger na- 

 turals as the grayling to the smaller ones. In genial 

 weather it is of little use employing it ; as, although there 

 may be thousands upon the grassy bank near the river, a 

 smart breeze is needful to carry them upon the water 

 within the reach of the fish. Clear, frosty nights tend 

 to improve autumn fishing. They invigorate the gray- 

 ling, causing them to fight gamely when hooked, which 

 is the case with other fish seasonable in the colder season. 



OCTOBER. 



This month may be said to be the best in the year in 

 which to fish for grayling, which -are now in prime con- 

 dition. These fish have acquired a reputation for being 

 less wily, and therefore more easily deluded than trout. 

 This may have originated from the fact of their being at 

 times given, like the salmon, to take some gaudy combi- 

 nation resembling no living insect in creation. The 

 angler who contemplates an excursion to the haunts of 



