Grayling

The Grayling spawns about April, making its way afterwards to the tails of sharp scouers till the middle of May; unlike the Trout, they do not dwell in rapid shallow torrents, but require a combination of pool and stream, the former for a resting place, with a gradually declining shallow below, and a somewhat rapid stream above; the bottom of gravel mixed with marl and loam, this being favourable to the growth of the insect food on which they principally live. Grayling seldom exceed three pounds in weight; when first taken out of the water presenting a beautiful violet tint, with dusky lines along the sides, and the belly a pearly white; the tail and fins are a purply colour. The best months for fly-fishing are from July to November, and from then till March for bottom-fishing, but when the water is clear, they will rise at a fly more or less, through the winter. One essential point is to fish fine, using the very finest gut, though the Grayling lies deeper and is not so shy a fish as the Trout; as it will sometimes rise a dozen times at the same fly, in as many successive casts, provided the angler stands back out of its sight.

The best Grayling Rivers as those of the Midland Counties, such as the Dove, Teme, &c. Great numbers of Grayling have been introduced into the Thames, within the last year or two for the purpose of stocking that river; with what result remains to be seen. Though with the great development of the science of Pisciculture, and the quantity of breeding apparatus at the disposal of the Thames Angling Preservation Society, this beautiful fish ought in time to become naturalized; so as to take the place of the Trout during the time this fish is out of season, being considered as much an autumn and winter fish, as the Trout is belonging to spring and summer. Grayling do not bound out of the water or jump at the bait like the Trout, but will rise with great velocity to the top of the water to seize the fly, descending with equal rapidity to the bottom, the dorsal-fin, used for this purpose, being remarkably large. The best Flies are the hackles, partridge, dun, black, red, &c.; small blue dun and hare's ear flies, march-brown and sand flies. When the water its clear and smooth, they will take a dun-gnat tipped with gold tinsel, beneath the surface, using a very fine casting-line and allowing it to float with the current; you will not see a "rise" but a peculiar curl in the water, which with a little practice you will understand equally well. In the winter, when the weather is warm, they will rise for an hour or two in the middle of the day at dun-gnats and very small soldier palmers. The artificial grasshopper is an excellent bait; the following semi-artificial bait is sometimes very successful - the shank of a No. 6 hook is partially covered with lead, and then whipped with light green floss silk, a piece of split straw- should be bound on either side with a ribbing of yellow silk. Place a real grasshopper on the bend of the hook, and use it either with, or without, a very small quill float, which must be just large enough to carry the amount, of lead on the hook without extra shot.

The liod for bottom-fishing should be of light cane, and about twelve feet in length; the winch line should be fine prepared plaited silk. Use a very tine three yard gut line and a quill float; if you fish with gentles, or wasp grubs, use a No. 9 hook, if with red worms No. 7 or No. 8. Fish about, two inches from the bottom, letting your float swim as steadily as possible; if you fish with gentles, throw in a few occasionally, just above the swim; when using worms, throw in a few chopped worms, not many at a time, but. a very small quantity often. Grayling, when hooked, require gentle hand ling; having a tender mouth, unless carefully treated, the hold will frequently break away.