70 THE DRY FLY AND FAST WATER 



learning whether or not their theories were cor- 

 rect, I have gone to the stream under such 

 conditions and have had some curious experi- 

 ences. I have taken fine fish on broiling hot 

 days when there seemed to be little difference 

 between the temperature of the water and the 

 air. On days when the "hatch" has been so 

 thin that one would be warranted in thinking 

 that the trout had forgotten that there ever was 

 such a thing as a fly, I have taken some of my 

 best fish. On the other hand, there have been 

 many occasions when I have met with utter 

 defeat, and, all in all, I hardly know what I 

 have really learned from the experiences, so 

 varied have they been. 



One insufferably hot July day convinced me, 

 however, that there are times when trout are 

 interested neither in food nor in anything else. 

 For three sultry hours I cast over every likely 

 spot. I never rose a fish. I never saw one rise. 

 I did not see a fish. 



At a beautiful pool, small but of good depth, 

 considering the state of the water, I felt that 

 my last chance had come, and, after covering 

 the whole surface carefully, without result, de- 

 liberately waded into it, hoping to scare any 

 fish that might be there and so learn where 



