112 A rtificial-Fly Fishing. 



in some portending atmospheric disturbance. For 

 trout, in the interests of science, may well be en- 

 rolled active members of the Meteorological Society ; 

 they are more sensitive to atmospheric influences 

 than a barometer, and rarely take well when there 

 is an impending change. This is especially the 

 case when, after a long spell of fine weather, there 

 are some indications of a coming storm. And even 

 when no such indications present themselves to the 

 weather prophet nay, when Mercury himself brings 

 no warning of the frowning face of Jove, the trout 

 seem to have some instinctive premonition of what 

 is approaching, and defy all art to tempt them to 

 the surface. This occurs now and again all through 

 the season. The " rise " may be " on," the fun most 

 furious, and the hopes of the angler at the highest, 

 when, all of a sudden, without hint or warning, the 

 sport ceases, and not another fin is seen to move 

 that day. The case is evidently hopeless, though 

 the cause may be mysterious, and the angler gives 

 up in disgust. But perhaps on the morrow, or, it 

 may be, before he is fairly home, the rising wind 

 and the blackening heavens convince him that 

 some " wide area of depression " had o'erspread the 

 stream, and abated the ardour of the rising fish. 



In genial weather good sport is almost certain 

 whether the water is black or not, as the March 

 browns will then make their appearance on the 



