204 FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 



water, is much used in the Midlands, since its recent 

 introduction we refer to the " Dun Cut." This 

 dressing has proved itself to more than equal the 

 usual reproductions of the moths. It is a double- 

 hackled artificial, the feathers being dun and brown 

 hen's breast feathers (usually used for wings), the 

 outside feather being dun ; body, drab fur ribbed 

 with silver twist ; hook, long shanked Limerick or 

 Kendal May-fly size. 



Before the subject of trout and grayling fishing 

 (which has been dealt with more in^ detail elsewhere) 

 is concluded, we feel it incumbent upon us to make 

 some allusion to the Dove, upon whose banks resided 

 the first writer upon this, the highest branch of the 

 art piscatorial, in our land. This is classic ground 

 to every follower of Walton. Here have assembled 

 all noted fishermen since the days in which the com- 

 mon sire of us all trod its banks and wielded the rod ; 

 and they still come, though many a famous rod that 

 was wont to whip these waters is laid away for ever. 

 Every rock and pool seems to embue one with 



"Meek Walton's heavenly memory." 



The ancient and original fishing-house, too, stand- 

 ing as it does, scarcely impaired by the ravages of 

 time, seems to impress the mind with familiar associa- 

 tions. It requires no great stretch of imagination to 

 call up the venerable and benevolent features and 

 stalwart form of the " Modern Patriarch Izaak," 

 and his adopted son, discoursing pleasantly whilst 

 making flies, or rigging up the tackle for the 

 evening's rise. 



