ON RIVERS 81 



Spring and autumn, which as a rule are the seasons, 

 are not so often disturbed by subtle complexities of 

 weather as are the months of summer. It is only 

 now and then that they witness the conditions 

 which precede, those which accompany, and those 

 which follow thunder. When we try for a salmon, 

 that is to say, we usually have whatever advantage 

 there may be in weather such as is known to favour 

 us when we try for trout. 



Where shall we seek the salmon ? Here again, on 

 an unfamiliar river, the most experienced fisherman 

 will find himself uncertain. It is not always possible 

 to tell by the aspect of things where fish will be 

 lying. They may be in very unattractive places. 

 Pools the most inspiring to gaze upon may know 

 them not. In others, which you might pass by as 

 hopeless, they may be abounding. Usually they 

 prefer deep lively pools, and, especially in summer, 

 the full force of the currents there; but in a few 

 streams flat and damlike sluggish parts are the 

 favourite places. Then, although there are fine 

 pools within easy reach, occasionally, if the bot- 

 tom is dark, the salmon lie in stretches of water 

 little more than two feet deep. 



What is the best time o' day ? On this question 

 we have slightly more assurance. Especially in 

 spring, " the heat of the day " is good. At all times 

 the hour or hours of the gloamin 1 are very often so. 

 To these general rules there are incalculable excep- 

 tions. Salmon are much more whimsical than their 

 smaller kinsmen. When trout are rising you can 



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