CONDITIONS WHICH GOVERN THE BITING OF FISH. 375 



the most successful, when other conditions are most favor- 

 able, and approach more nearly to the " typical " day for 

 angling, as described in this chapter, the most prominent 

 features of which arc pleasant weather, translucent water, 

 and a fresh breeze. 



Thunder, and electrical conditions of the atmosphere, I 

 leave out of the account altogether, as we have no means 

 of judging of the influence of so subtile an agent as elec- 

 tricity on the finny tribe ; nor have I ever observed any 

 peculiar effect on fishes from these causes, though great 

 stress is often laid by some anglers on the influence of an 

 atmosphere surcharged with electricity, whatever that may 

 mean ; but it is no more reasonable to suppose that fishes 

 would be disturbed by electrical conditions of the air, than 

 terrestrial animals would be inconvenienced or otherwise by 

 electric conditions of water. 



But, notwithstanding all of our patient and careful ob- 

 servations of the habits of fish, their food and their sur- 

 roundings, and our study of the various, conditions of 

 wind, weather, and water, there will be days and days in 

 the experience of every angler, when the fish will utterly 

 refuse to bite ; and this on such days as the most finished, 

 practiced, and observant angler would pronounce exceed- 

 ingly favorable in every particular. At such times one is 

 forcibly reminded of the analogy existing between the will 

 of woman and the "biting" of fish, as related in the 

 familiar lines : — 



"For if she will, she will, you may depend on't; 

 And if she won't, she won't; so there's an end on't." 



Every Black Bass angler has seen — where the Avater was 

 clear enough for observation — the Bass seize his minnow 



