THE FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR. 167 



to get cold, and then cut into suitable bait pieces, will be 

 found attractive, next to freshly-made clean bread-paste. 

 Don't be afraid of the damp and muddy banks of the river ; 

 put on your waterproofs, and you may easily secure a fair 

 basket of fish. Grayling, too, may be caught, in suitable 

 waters. In the far off Westmoreland lakes, the famed 

 char may be caught also in January. The fly-fisher should 

 air his budget of feathers, furs, and dubbings, and flies, in 

 the sun, just to see that the moth is not taking his revenge 

 on his effigies. Look out your rod, and examine the splices 

 of your top-joint, and see that the mildew is not seizing 

 the ring fastenings, or decaying the varnish. A glance at 

 the fly-hooks will not be amiss. 



FEBRUARY. This month is not an enticing season for 

 the angler. Perch, jack, and roach may be still taken in 

 open weather. Grayling will rise to the fly, if the angler 

 can tickle his fancy with a tempting one a few inches be- 

 neath the surface. A light dun will often prove effective ; 

 if the angler knows what flies are earliest in the stream, 

 let him use one of the same kind; he will not regret 

 the trouble. Salmon-fishing commences this month ; but 

 the angler should rather look to and air his fishing-boots, 

 wading-stockings, and flies, than to the fish. If you do 

 tiy your luck with a fly, Let it be a big and a gaudy one. 



MARCH. Though salmon-fishing is sometimes in its 

 prime this month, yet the prospect of sport depends 

 somewhat on the state of the rivers, and whether there is 

 any " snow-broth " about. Salmon fishers should remember 

 to hang their lines up to dry on their return home, or else they 

 will find them crack and snap when that " exceedingly fine 

 fish " of a disappointed angler happens to fancy your fly. 

 You may tickle a trout's memory and make his mouth 



