CONDITIONS WPIICH GOVERN THE BITING OF FISH. 365 



like a burnished mirror. If this be so, it is extremely 

 fortunate, and we can apply the rule of exclusion here, 

 and at once dismiss all such occasions from further con- 

 sideration ; for I take it for granted that the reader has 

 no desire to "go a-fishing" at such times. 



Fortunately, again, the season for angling is during 

 pleasant weather, in Spring, Summer and Autumn ; and I 

 have always observed that the pleasantest days for the an- 

 gler's comfort, were usually the most propitious and suc- 

 cessful days for angling. 



It matters little, for bait-fishing, whether the day be 

 bright or cloudy, or whether the wind is in the East, West, 

 North, or South, so long as it is a pleasant wind, and is 

 not too raw and chilly. I have had "good luck " with 

 the wind in either quarter, and from a gentle breeze to 

 half a gale ; on days that were hot, bright, and cloudless, 

 as well as on those that were cloudy and rather cool. 



To be sure, it makes some difference as to the character 

 of the waters; the pleasantest days are best for small 

 streams and shallow waters, Avhile the more unlikely days 

 would better suit lakes and deep waters ; though in either 

 case, the pleasantest days, in all respects, are the best. 



The fish in deep waters are not so easily aifected by the 

 vicissitudes of weather, as those in waters of shallow depth. 

 As exceptional cases I might add that I have had as good 

 success with a reefing east wind, or a half-gale from the 

 north-west, on lakes of good depth, as at, seemingly, the 

 most favorable times. 



Once, on La Belle Lake, at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, I 

 went fishing when the wind was blowing quite fresh from 

 the West. I proceeded to the lower end of the lake, some 

 three miles, when the Avind suddenly hauled around to the 



