108 FISHERMEN'S WEATHER 



three phenomena are, on the whole, more 

 associated with certain seasons of the year 

 than any of them with snow, which belongs 

 more properly to the period of frost. 



It is further necessary to subdivide the 

 influence of rain on failure or success in 

 fishing under, at any rate, three heads : 

 (1) The patter of raindrops on the surface, 

 which, either by concealing the tackle, 

 or, as some believe, by oxygen ation, often 

 brings a rise ; (2) the discoloration of 

 the water in flood-time, which necessarily 

 hides the natural food supplies, and some- 

 times also the angler's lure, from those 

 fish which hunt their prey by sight ; 

 and (3) the level of the river, a most 

 important factor in salmon fishing, the 

 significance of which, though perfectly 

 appreciated, is but partially understood. 

 It will be seen from these preliminary 

 divisions of the subject that the con- 

 ditions discussed in the present chapter 

 are perhaps more complex in their origin 

 and effect than those dealt with in any 

 other. 



