WATER AND WEATHER 291 



high out of the water all hopes of sport may be 

 abandoned. 



Since the Legislature forbids any netting be- 

 tween the hour of midnight on Saturday and mid- 

 night on Sunday, the mill-hatches being open, 

 and the flow of water increased, fresh fish come 

 up, and those which have been stationary very 

 frequently resume their upward journey. 



Before rain, when thunder is about and the 

 weather is heavy and sultry, fish are rarely to be 

 taken ; but when rain first falls after a long spell 

 of dry weather, it often proves a very powerful 

 incentive to them to come well and freely at the 

 fly. 



When snow-water, ' snow-broth,' as it is termed, 

 is coming down, the temperature of the water is 

 so lowered that sport is rendered hopeless. It 

 frequently happens in the Northern streams that 

 a sudden spate of snow-broth may come down 

 from the hills and so put an effectual stop to fish- 

 ing, though the weather in the valleys may be 

 mild and genial. 



Provided the condition of the water is suitable 

 and the barometer steady, I do not think that 

 wind is of the same importance for salmon-fishing 

 as for trout. I am of opinion that the best wind 

 for the purpose is that which permits the river to 

 be fished to the best advantage. Such winds are 

 rarely due north or east. 



