422 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



us of but twelve artificial flies only, to angle with at the top, 

 and gives their names ; of which some are common with us 

 here ; and I think I guess at most of them by his description, 

 and I believe they all breed and are taken in our rivers, 

 though we do not make them either of the same dubbing 

 or fashion. And it may be in the rivers about London, 

 which I presume he has most frequented, and where it is 

 likely he 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 fore-named 

 great master in the art of angling, for so in truth he is, tells 

 you that no man should, in honesty, catch a trout till the 

 middle of March, yet I hope he will give a man leave sooner 

 to take a grayling, which, as I told you, is in the dead 

 months in his best season, and do assure you (which I re- 

 member 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 



