DAYS IN DOVE DALE 79 



I once more donned my mackintosh and 

 wading-boots, and betook me to " The Dove." 



It looked ominous : not a rise could I see. 

 I fished away for three hours, and I got but 

 one solitary rise. I hooked my fish well, but 

 he twisted himself round a bit of rock, and 

 snapped off my most promising fly my usual 

 luck. I returned to the hotel fully satisfied 

 that fish do not bite in thunder weather ! 



Meanwhile, Piscator major went to "The 

 Manifold," and returned shortly after me with 

 ye powers ! more fish than his usual bag 

 would hold. 1 That was filled, and a bundle 

 tied up in his handkerchief as well ! He 

 counted out nineteen trout, some of them more 

 than a pound, and the whole lot, weighed 

 together, nearly turned the scales at ten pounds, 

 or more than an average of half a pound 

 each ! 



Now, what am I to think of this ? 



Do fish bite in a thunderstorm, or do they 

 not? 



Here, you see, is my own experience dead 



1 The major during this broiling weather carries a light 

 leather bag instead of his usual creel. It sits more com- 

 fortably on the back. 



