292 ROD AND RIVER 



A light southerly or west wind and a dull sky, 

 what is often described as a ' brown day,' is ever 

 good fishing weather ; but there are days on which 

 the sun may be shining brightly, when, if the wind 

 is suitable, and the sky now and again overcast, 

 good sport may be obtained. Anything is better 

 than an unsettled state of weather. 



The earlier hours of the day up to two o'clock, 

 and from after five o'clock in the afternoon, are 

 the most suitable. Between two and five o'clock, 

 save in the early and latter parts of the season, 

 fish are rarely inclined to move. 



When mist comes on the water, no matter how 

 well the fish may have been rising previously, they 

 will cease to move. This rule holds good with 

 trout as well as with salmon, more particularly so, 

 perhaps, with the former ; but when the sun is dis- 

 pelling the morning mists, especially in the early 

 days of September, good work may be frequently 

 done with a salmon-fly. 



During the midsummer nights fish may often 

 be caught, provided the light holds good ; but 

 such work always seems to me to favour rather of 

 the poacher than the sportsman. Still, neverthe- 

 less, it may be excusable when the weather is too 

 hot and bright to admit of fish being caught during 

 the day-time. 



