56 



THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 



prevented from roving in search of food by the 

 brightness of the moon ; so, on the contrary, 

 after a dark gloomy night, but few good fish are 

 to be taken until the approach of evening, as, 

 having been glutted with the moths and other 

 insects (which the night produces in almost as 

 great abundance as the day), they are not upon 

 the watch for food, but retire to their holds. 

 When the waters have subsided after a flood, and 

 are beginning to assume their natural colour, an 

 opportunity is presented to the angler which he 

 ought on no account to let slip, as he is almost 

 sure to meet with excellent diversion,, unless 

 it happen to be in shearing time or the hay 

 harvest; for, in the former case, the fish are 

 uncommonly shy, having been frequently de- 

 ceived, by mistaking the particles of wool, which 

 the current brings down, for their natural food ; 

 and in the latter, the grass and hay which (if the 

 riveY pass through meadows) cover the surface of 

 the water will prove so troublesome, that the 

 pursuit is most commonly unsuccessful. 



