122 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OBSERVATIONS OF THE UMBER, OR GRAYLING, AND DIRECTIONS 

 HOW TO FISH FOR HIM. 



THE GRAYLING Salmo Thymallus. LINNJEVS. 



Piscator. THE Umber and Grayling are thought by some to 

 differ, as the Herring and Pilchard do ; but though they may 

 do so in other nations, I think those in England differ nothing 

 but in their names. Aldrovandus says, they be of a Trout 

 kind ; and Gesner says, that in his country, which is Switzer- 

 land, he is accounted the choicest of all fish. And in Italy, he 

 is in the month of May so highly valued, that he is sold then 

 at a much higher rate than any other fish. The French, which 

 call the Chub un villain, call the Umber of the Lake Leman 

 umble chevalier ; and they value the Umber, or Grayling, so 

 highly that they say he feeds on gold ; and say, that many have 

 been caught out of their famous river of Loire, out of whose 

 bellies grains of gold have been often taken. And some think 

 that he feeds on water thyme,* and smells of it at his first 

 taking out of the water ; and they may think so with as good 

 reason as we do that our Smelts smell like violets at their being 

 first caught, which I think is a truth. Aldrovandus says, the 

 Salmon, the Grayling, the Trout, and all fish that live in clear 

 and sharp streams, are made by their mother Nature of such 

 exact shape and pleasant colours purposely to invite us to a joy 

 and contentedness in feasting with her. Whether this is a 

 truth or not it is not my purpose to dispute ; but 'tis certain, all 



* There is no plant of this name known to botanists, and I think it most 

 be wholly imaginary. J. R. 



