248 NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 



to a certainty lose his capture, and imperil his tackle. 

 Much is to be learned, therefore, when the water is 

 fine and low, as then observations may be taken as 

 to the lay of the river's bed, etc. 



SEPTEMBER. 



Grayling are now rapidly coming into condition. 

 Seasonable weather prevailing, good sport is afforded 

 by these fish wherever prevalent Trout and grayling 

 take the fly in an entirely different way ; the former, 

 as a rule, comes up boldly to meet the fly as it floats 

 down-stream, whilst the grayling seldom rises at a fly 

 until it has passed over or close by him. This is 

 owing to the singular formation of the mouth of this 

 fish, the upper part of which, projecting over the 

 bottom lip, incapacitates it from closing upon the fly 

 when before it, as is habitual with the trout. The 

 grayling being gregarious, it is of the utmost im- 

 portance that each fish should be landed quietly and 

 carefully, with the least possible disturbance of the 

 water. In order to accomplish this satisfactorily, the 

 hooked fish should be headed down-stream, whenever 

 practicable, to the nearest available spot for landing. 

 The angler who has been accustomed to whip for 

 trout upon the waters of a small lake or pool will 

 know perfectly well how to accomplish this. To be 

 a successful grayling fisher, it is essential to have a 

 thorough command of the rod, to have a sensitive 

 touch, a quick eye, and a gentle hand. The secret 

 of success, in fact, as in other branches of the art, 

 lies in the acquirement of certain details, which 



