350 TROUT FISHING. 



the most favourable. It is somewhat singular that^ in spite of 

 the generally received opinion that southerly or south-westei'ly 

 weather is the only weather for Trout-fishing, few old Long 

 Island anglers are to be found who cannot state that they have 

 taken as many, some say more, fish during the prevalence of 

 easterly winds, as in any weather. A friend of mine, on whose 

 authority I can perfectly rely, and to whom I gladly record my 

 indebtedness for many facts stated in this paper, assures me that 

 he has never known Trout to take the fly more freely than 

 during a north-easterly snow-storm. Still, I must consider 

 these as exceptions to the general rule ; and I at least would 

 select, if I had my choice, ' a southerly wind and a cloudy sky,' 

 — always barring thunder, — and no objection to a slight 

 sprinkling of warm rain. 



" There is another peculiarity to observe in the Long Island 

 waters — and, as far as I know, in them only — that Trout bite 

 decidedly better and more freely, when the water is very fine 

 and clear, than when it is in flood and turbid. Indeed, if 

 there be a good ripple on the surface, the water can hardly be 

 too transparent. 



" It has been suggested to me, that this may be accounted 

 for by the fact that in flood the waters are so well filled with 

 natural bait, that the fish become gorged and* lazy. I cannot 

 say, however, that this is perfectly satisfactory to me; as the 

 same must be the case, more or less, in all waters ; whereas it 

 is unquestionably the case, wherever I have fished, except on 

 Long Island, that Trout are more easily taken in turbid than 

 in fine water. 



"As connected with the foregoing remarks, I will here add, 



