238 NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 



and after the close time, that is about the last week 

 of the Drake, much diversion may be derived from 

 Mr. Leatherhead. Grayling and all coarse fish come 

 in season on the 6th of June. The small flies, when 

 numerous, tempt them from the slow-running deeps 

 to the rapids or shallows, where they congregate in 

 shoals, being a gregarious fish. The Little Chap 

 and Black Gnat both very small flies are usually 

 picked off by them in preference to the Duns, 

 Spinners, Oak fly, or what not, that may be plentiful. 

 We have frequently counted eight or ten fine fellows 

 rising within the compass of a few yards, while at the 

 same time there has not been another fish rising up 

 or down stream. Under these circumstances, it will 

 be obvious to all that great care is necessary in 

 " playing " the fish, for should the rodster land his 

 fish in a reckless or clumsy manner, his chances of 

 hooking a second will be exceedingly small. The 

 best way to land a grayling, under the above 

 circumstances, is to keep a gentle pull on the rod, 

 and let the fish bolt down to the bottom of the water 

 for some distance below where he rose, where he may 

 be safely bagged. Grayling may be taken in the 

 latter part of June with the Honey-Dun and Mulberry 

 Bumble, Little Chap, and small Midges. The rod, 

 like the line and gut, should be fine ; an ordinary one- 

 handed fly rod, in good play, is decidedly the best, as 

 with it you will often feel the fish in time to hook 

 him ; whereas, with a less pliable tool you will feel 

 nothing, save perchance a stake or a root. An hour 

 or so at daybreak will, at this season of the year, 



