282 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



has done most execution, there is not much notice taken of 

 many more : but we are acquainted with several others here, 

 though perhaps I may reckon some of his by other names, 

 too ; but if I do, I shall make you amends by an addition to 

 his catalogue. And although the forenanied great master in 

 the art of angling, for so in truth he is, tells you that no 

 man should, in honesty, catch a trout in the middle of March, 

 yet I hope he will give a man leave sooner to take a gray- 

 ling, which, as I told you, is in the dead months in his best 

 season : and do assure you (which I remember by a very 

 remarkable token), I? did once take, upon the sixth day of 

 December, one, and only one, of the biggest graylings, and 

 the best in season, that ever I yet saw or tasted ; and do 

 usually take trouts too, and with a fly, not only before the 

 middle of this month, but almost every year in February, 

 unless it be a very ill spring indeed ; and have sometimes in 

 January, so early as New-year's tide, and in frost and snow, 

 taken grayling in a warm sunshine day for an hour or two 

 about noon ; and to fish for him with a grub, it is then the 

 best time of all. 



I shall therefore begin my fly-fishing with that month, 

 though I confess very few begin so soon, and that such as are 

 so fond of the sport as to embrace all opportunities, can 

 rarely in that month find a day fit for their purpose; and tell 

 you, that upon my knowledge these flies in a warm sun, for 

 an hour or two in the day, are certainly taken. 



JANUARY. 



1. A RED BROWN, with wings of the male of a mallard 

 almost white : the dubbing of the tail of a black long-coated 

 cur, such as they commonly make muffs of; for the hair on 

 the tail of such a clog dies and turns to a red-brown, but the 

 hair of a smooth-coated dog of the same colour will not do, 

 because it will not die, but retains its natural colour, and this 

 fly is taken in a warm sun, this whole month through. 



2. There is also a very little BRIGHT DUN GNAT, as little as 

 can possibly be made, so little as never to be fished with, with 

 above one hair next the hook ; and this is to be made of a 

 mixed dubbing of marten's fur, and the white of a hare's scut, 

 with a very white and small wing ; and it is no great matter 

 how fine you fish, for nothing will rise in this month, but a 

 grayling ; and of them I never, at this season, saw any taken 



