NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOE FLY-FISHING. W6 



fails to meet with due appreciation on the part of the fish. 

 The flies to use, even in mid- winter, should be chosen 

 from those last "on" in the latter part of the fall; as 

 when Old Sol makes a feeble effort to rise in the heavens, 

 a few insects are almost invariably induced to leave their 

 retreat to meet death, either in the jaws of the fish or by 

 the nipping wind of night-fall. A capital fancy fly 

 throughout the grayling season is an artificial we term 

 the Winter Dun. The body of this is formed of flat gold 

 or silver, neatly laid on; legs, light blue hen's hackle ; 

 wings fieldfare. This fly should be fished point. We 

 can commend this before all the fancy fly species for the 

 allurement of grayling in either clear or discolored water. 

 In the early winter season the flies prevalent in February 

 will be out ; the sombre- hued dun of that month, and on 

 fine days the cock-winged dun will be seen about; and as 

 flies appear merely in nominal numbers, the grayling ex- 

 hibit great eagerness in taking what comes within their 

 ken. Should the day prove cloudy, with wind or showers 

 of rain, the Light Bumble will be found deadly, as will 

 also the Gray Palmer. Upon the occasions the Cinnamon 

 Fly is often to be observed on and about the water, and 

 when this is so a copy may be placed as dropper with ad- 

 vantage, as, though grayling as a rule prefer small flies, 

 the big fish will often rise to larger lures. In clear water 

 the fish will sometimes be observed to double back, after 

 cautiously rising to the surface, without closing on the 

 fly presented. This is often owing to the tackle being 

 too strong and coarse. We would impress upon the tyro 

 in the art of "flying" for grayling, the absolute necessi- 

 ty of the very finest bottom tackle, ere he can pursue his 

 sport with any degree of satisfaction. As in trout fishing, 

 whenever the water is slightly discolored, and when the 

 fish are on the move, the chances of sport with the gray- 

 ling are enhanced. In these cicumstances the novice, 

 providing he can put out a moderate line, will achieve 



