190 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



towards the angler, more rapidly than if there was a 

 breeze of wind. A larger portion of the line should 

 also be kept in the water, and great care taken to 

 make as little disturbance as possible. Perhaps the 

 best way of fishing in a calm is to have the boat 

 slowly propelled by one oar from the stern, making 

 as little disturbance as possible, and throw gently 

 over every trout that rises at the natural fly. Or if 

 the trout are evidently as they sometimes are 

 rising in shoals, the boat may be pulled into the 

 centre of the shoal ; and when the alarm caused by 

 the disturbance has subsided and the trout begin to 

 rise again, the angler should drop a small fly lightly 

 on the spot, and he will have a good chance of 

 securing the fish. 



The most favourable weather is a day with a good 

 breeze of west wind, and alternate sunshine and 

 shower. The trout never take readily, particularly 

 if the air is at all cold, unless the sun is shining. A 

 wet day is better than a cloudy one without rain, 

 but not equal to a sunny one. In the early months 

 east wind will mar the angler's sport, but in July and 

 August it is not so objectionable ; since at that season, 

 even with it, the air is generally sufficiently warm. 



The best time of the year for fly-fishing depends, 

 as in rivers, upon the season. If the weather is 

 mild, trout may be taken readily in May, but this is 

 rarely the case, and June and July may be set down 

 as the best two months of the year.* In August 



* Mr. Stewart, from further experience, would probably have 

 admitted that, if this statement can be taken as a rule at all, it 



