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. Insome 
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 ata 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 sz felt hat is your best thatch for all weathers. 
Wear woollen from head to foot, 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- 
