334 The Trouts of America 



that they are not alarmed at low, rolling vol- 

 umes of thunder, but when it becomes more 

 intermittent and resounds in sudden claps, the 

 fish retire to the deepest holes that can be 

 reached by them. This peculiar trait is easily 

 understood and explained. When the thunder is 

 low or deep, but regular in intonation, the 

 atmosphere is not agitated with vibrations suffi- 

 ciently strong to affect the surface of the 

 water; on the other hand sudden and loud 

 thunderclaps produce concussions that alarm 

 the fish, causing them to scurry to a place of 

 safety. 



This subject of thunder-storms affecting the 

 rising of trout, naturally suggests a few words 

 on the effects of other atmospheric conditions. 

 For instance, as to what wind is most favorable 

 for trout fishing; a question that has been dis- 

 cussed since angling began as a pastime, and, 

 as it appears, the east wind is most decried. 

 In nine instances out of ten, when the angler 

 is wading down a wooded trout stream, a strong 

 wind changes its direction to almost all the 

 points of the compass, whirling around bends, 

 dashing through tree intervals, and circling in 

 eddies, tempered or strengthened at every few 



