i88 DRY-FLY FISHING 



wind a condition which ensures happiness on all, or 

 even on most, occasions. 



For the loch, the great majority of fishers, we are 

 certain, prefer a breeze, while some we know like 

 the wind just strong enough to make the boat difficult 

 to manage. A good breeze makes the angler cheery, 

 and he expects that it will have the same effect upon 

 the trout. It helps him wonderfully, and he feels 

 that sooner or later one of his beautiful casts is 

 certain to be rewarded ; so for a long time, if neces- 

 sary, his interest is maintained, and it is amazing 

 how many trout can be caught by sheer hard work. 

 In a calm, a few minutes will, if fish are not rising or 

 not taking, suffice to put the angler in a despondent 

 mood, whereas if he could persist as he does in a 

 wind, he would probably have to call quite as often 

 for the landing net. 



Sometimes trout will rise very well by day to the 

 natural fly, but aggravatingly out of reach of the 

 longest cast. We have experienced this particular 

 annoyance principally on Loch Leven, and very 

 probably the trout of other lochs can similarly 

 tantalise the angler. If the wind springs up, then 

 the fish become a comparatively easy conquest, 

 presumably because their powers of vision are much 

 reduced. 



Frequently and on many lochs our experience 

 has been quite the reverse. A fine, gentle breeze, 

 making neat, delicate casting the simplest of work, 

 ripples the water ; hope rules high as we gently 

 drift along, but the longer the drift the more con- 

 tinuous the disappointment. All the conditions 

 seem to combine to make the day a perfect fishing 

 day ; only the trout persistently and steadfastly 



