THE FLY FISHER'S GUIDE. 61 



vicissitude and eager extremity of both sky and 

 water. 



c( As the spirited and skilful navigator does not 

 lie in a harbour waiting for a favourable wind, 

 but goes to sea to seek for one, so the keen and 

 knowing angler does not sit at home to watch 

 for a fortunate prognostication, or change of 

 weather, but takes it as it comes., and repairs to 

 the river to ply his skill in rousing the finny race 

 to his artful lures. There is scarcely any time, 

 unless when it thunders, or when the water is 

 thick with mud, but you may chance to tempt 

 the salmon to rise to an artificial fly. But the 

 most propitious and critical moments are un- 

 doubtedly when, clearing after a flood, the water 

 has turned to a light whey, or rather brown 

 colour ; when the wind blows pretty fresh, ap- 

 proaching almost to a mackerel gale (if not from 

 the north), against the stream or course of the 

 river ; when the sun shines through showers, or 

 when the cloudy rack runs fast and thick, and at 

 intervals discovers the fine blue ether from above. 



