252 TROUT FISHING 



rain has fallen it has been first cousin to snow or 

 sleet. The trout have been backward in condition 

 and little inclined to rise, insect food being very 

 scarce. Then comes a change of wind and a burst 

 of warm sunshine. Even if there is no rain to speak 

 of, the improvement in fishing is immediate, for 

 flies appear and trout rise to them. 



Looking back on past experiences, the angler 

 does not find any lack of sunshine in the retrospect. 

 It may be that we are more inclmed, as is the sundial, 

 to record the bright hours, and there have certainly 

 been bits of sport enjoyed when the weather was far 

 from delightful. But, for all that, it is obvious that 

 a great many of our best days have been lived in the 

 countenance and favour of a glorious sun. Big 

 fish or big baskets — it does not matter — there is 

 proof enough that the sun is no hindrance to 

 achieving either ambition, while it is certain that it 

 helps us to appreciate our luck much more keenly. 



Once it is settled that sunshine is not bad for trout 

 fishing, it becomes a matter of some interest to 

 consider why anglers used to think that it was. 

 Possibly the reason lies in the tackle they used. 

 There must have been more difficulty in approaching 

 trout in days when a very long rod was required for 

 throwing even a moderately long line. And the 

 old artificial flies were many of them crude pro- 

 ductions of great size as compared with the little 



