THE GRAYLING, AND BAIT-FISHING FOR. 437 



out about one-eighth inch from the upper portion of the shank ; 

 weight the tackle with a single swan shot attached to the line about 

 12 inches from the hook ; the float should be made of cork about 

 the size of a marble, with a hole bored through the centre, and 

 an adjusting plug of either quill or wood. 



Opinions seem to vary as to the most suitable kind of worms 

 to employ, some preferring the brandling, others the small red 

 worm found in rotten leaf mould, which is known as the ' cockspur ' 

 in some districts ; and, as far as my experience goes, I have always 

 found the latter prove the more attractive bait of the two. 



Insert the point of the hook into the worm about one-eighth 

 inch below the head, and thread it up the shank over the projecting 

 piece of bristle, which will keep it in its place, allowing the tail of 

 the worm to hang straight down, with the point and bend of the 

 hook exposed. As a general rule 18 inches is about the proper 

 depth at which to adjust the float, so that the worm may swim 

 3 inches or 4 inches from the ground ; but, of course, it all depends 

 upon the stream in which you are fishing. 



All being now ready, let us adjourn to the river, ahd look out 

 for a likely spot in which to commence operations. As I write I 

 can picture just such a place in my mind's eye — a stream upon my 

 favourite river — the Yore. It is perhaps half-a-mile in length, 

 having a uniform depth of about 2 feet, excepting at the tail of it, 

 where it runs gradually off into a deep pool. At the head of the 

 stream it is rocky, the water running sharply round the moss- 

 covered boulders, forming below them those quiet little eddying 

 pools that grayling especially affect. Step into the edge of the 

 stream and letting out line to about the length and a half of your 

 rod, cast your worm lightly just above that rock ; jauntily rides the 

 tiny float into the eddying pool below, and just as it is veering 

 round a slight stoppage occurs— only for a moment, however, and 

 then moves on as before ; pull out and examine your bait. Ah ! I 

 thought so. The tail of your worm is gone ; that was a grayling, 

 my friend, and the next swim I will wager anything that you ' nail ' 

 him. Another cast ; once more the float stops in exactly the 

 same place, but this time drags as though the hook had caught in 

 the bottom. Now, then, strike with a firm turn of the \sx\?X—habet\ 

 a good fish, too, to judge by the resistance that he makes. Gently, 

 gently ; do not hurry him. The tackle is fine and his mouth 

 tender. There, he turns on his side at last ; slip the net under 

 him and transfer him to your basket. 



