THE WEATHER Ax\D TIMES TROPER FOR ANGLING. 843 



can be expected during the prevalence of northerly and 

 easterly winds ; nor when the wind is very boisterous : how- 

 ever, a little wind is always of advantage ; so much as will 

 produce a gentle ripple on the surface of the water ; and 

 fish always rise best to the fly after a gentle shower of rain, 

 but not in such quantity as to colour the water too much, 

 merely sufficient to tinge it slightly. 



The best periods for fishing are from April to October, 

 and from daybreak to nine in the morning; then from three 

 in the afternoon until dusk, and the later the better, as ex- 

 cellent sport is frequently enjoyed when it is nearly dark. 

 The days following bright star and moonlight nights are 

 most conducive to the angler's sport, particularly when they 

 happen to be a little windy, and overcast with clouds or fly- 

 ing showers ; for, abstaining from food all night, the darkness 

 of the day makes them more eager ; besides, the artificial fly 

 is not so easily distinguished by the fish. A bright and 

 calm morning, that changes to cloudiness, without rain, and 

 a good brisk wind, will bring the large fish on their feed ; 

 and also in stormy and showery weather, after each shower 

 subsides, the angler will not be disappointed in his amuse- 

 ment. But, however favourable the seasons, if neatness in 

 his tackle, and a proper knowledge of the various flies and 

 baits, as well as the resorts of the various kinds of fish be 

 wanting, he will never be so successful as those whose atten- 

 tion has been devoted to those objects. 



When rivers are low from great droughts, and in the heat 

 of the day, from May until September, unless shadowed by 

 clouds, the angler will seldom if ever be successful. 



In cold weather, when snow-water is in the river, accom- 

 panied by hoar-frost, either in spring or more advanced 

 periods of the season, fish will not bite, except in the evening, 

 should the weather prove warm and pleasant. 



