FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 325 



advantage, as it falls more lightly, reflects the light less, and 

 when taken from an undocked stallion is of such a length as to 

 reduce the knots to a minimum. 



The best chance of obtaining first-rate hair would, I think, 

 be from some of the dray teams of great brewing firms. In some 

 of our open northern streams good hair is invaluable. But it 

 must be used with caution. Hair is very elastic, but will not 

 bear a continued strain like gut. Leave it tied at a stretch, and 

 it will shortly break. Hence, with even the strongest hair you 

 must play your fish with a lighter and, so to say, a more variable 

 hand than when using gut tackle. As for creels, a small one may 

 do for brook fishing, but for use on good waters let it be roomy — 

 enough so to hold at least twenty-five pounds of fish. I have 

 not been specially privileged in access to the very cream of trout 

 streams — have never, for instance, fished at Stockbridge or in 

 the renowned Lathkill — have never had a day in the water 

 at Cheynies, immortalised by that genial sportsman, Anthony 

 Trollope, or in the upper waters of Foston Beck, admirably 

 preserved by Colonel St. Quintin. Nor, again, have I ever had 

 leisure to pick my days, but have taken my chances of a 

 holiday or half-holiday when they offered. Yet I have not 

 unfrequently filled a basket of the size recommended till it 

 overflowed into my pockets. 



By the bye, I think the form of the creels in general use a 

 great mistake. They should be made much longer at bottom, 

 so that a good weight of fish may be laid out without their 

 pressing on each other, or being disfigured by bending. In 

 an ordinary basket, the undermost fish on a good day are 

 grievously crushed by the last comers — a sorry sight when 

 laid out. 



Questions of dress come near to those of tackle. A broad- 

 brimmed stiff felt hat is your best thatch for all weathers. 

 Wear woollen from head to fool , and knickerbockers with the 

 thickest Inverness hose rather than trousers. If you have to 

 wade, you must clothe your nether man accordingly ; but do 

 not wade oftener or longer than is absolutely necessary, espe- 



