54 FISHERMEN'S WEATHER 



ably the fish see the gut and that the 

 fly is an artificial production, and not 

 something good to eat or worthy of attack. 

 It follows that ideal salmon fishing con- 

 ditions are none too common. 



" When fly - fishing for trout, un- 

 doubtedly the best weather is that which 

 produces the largest number of natural 

 flies on the water. Sea-trout feed all the 

 more readily if there is rain causing a 

 slight freshet, or when the water is clear- 

 ing a little after a big one. Trout dislike 

 bright sunlight combined with clear calm 

 water, and at such times usually retire to 

 shady places. But I have caught them 

 many times when the sun has been bright 

 by fishing fine and upstream. 



" For grayling fishing, nothing beats a 

 slightly frosty night followed by a calm, 

 mild, hazy day. 



"In pike fishing there seems no par- 

 ticular rule as to the weather, but the fish 

 are most voracious after a spell of thick 

 water, during which they presumably 

 have not been able to get much food, for 



