CONCERNING THE WIND 187 



not, as the water again flattens out, another race 

 for the nearest ripple begins. 



We too have chased the wind about the loch 

 many a weary time, and we have seen others engaged 

 at the same tiring game. Never have we been 

 privileged to see an angler fleeing, as quickly as oars 

 could take him, from the rippled areas to his heart's 

 delight in the calm glassy belts. ? 



Let us suppose, on the other hand, that the summer 

 day is bright and breezy. Sport may or may not 

 be good, so many other circumstances contribute 

 favourable or adverse influences, but in every case 

 the angler, who is at liberty to remain beside the 

 waters, looks forward to the evening. Hopefulness 

 is then at its highest. We always are filled with 

 expectation, and though the joys we anticipate are 

 not always granted, yet faith continues, and ever 

 will continue, to be born within us despite occasional 

 disappointments. The gloaming hour has been an 

 uninterrupted delight, the glory of a whole season, 

 the memory that has kept us cheerful throughout a 

 winter. Then it is that we can almost agree with 

 those who declare a calm is best. 



If fish rise well, but not too well, in a calm we 

 are really happy ; but should even the gentlest of 

 breezes blow at eventide, raising the tiniest of ripples, 

 and the trout continue to rise, then we are happier 

 still. On the contrary, we are never so miserable 

 as we are when not a single rise breaks the smooth 

 placid water. As it may often on a quiet summer 

 evening, and at other times as well, be the means of 

 giving most crowded sport, the art of casting in a 

 calm should certainly be learned by every angler ; 

 but few, we think, will come to consider absence of 



