THE ART OF FISHING. 



The "regular season" for fishing is between the months of April 

 and November. The best time of the day during the summer 

 months is from sunrise to two or three iiours after, and from two 

 hours preceding sunset until an hour after tiiat time In the colder 

 months the best hours are from twelve to three for the fish are shy 

 at biting untiJ the air is warmed by the sun A warm, lowering day 

 is, of all others, the most propitious; on a cloudy day, also, suc- 

 ceeding a moonlight night, the fish will bite readily, the most 

 favorable winds are south and south-west— easterly the most un- 

 favorable. 



Avoid a position w^here a shadow will be cast upon the water Do 

 not indulge in laughter or loud conversation; and m every way be 

 as unnoticeable as possible. Many people believe, erroneously, that 

 fish have no understanding; nevertheless the presence of an animal 

 or bird does not frighten them or cause them to shun the surface of 

 the water as does the presence of a man. 



If the water be still, throw in small quantities of ground bait; if 

 a strong current, large pieces, do this quietly and cautiously, for 

 fish are so wary and suspicious that it requires the nicest delicacy 

 and management to circumvent them 



When there is a strong wind the angler must seek an eddy or 

 sheltered pool for thither the fish w^ill be attracted by the flies and 

 other baits which the w^ind may have blown into it. 



FISHING TACKLE,— For general purposes a rod of about 

 twelve feet in length is the most convenient, but fifteen and even 

 eighteen foot rods are sometimes used when the nature of the 

 « grounds '" require it, 



LINES should be perfectly twisted, even, and of a color as near 

 the shade of water as possible A light brown^ gray or white are 

 colors preferred by the practical angler- The castmg-line for fly 

 fishing — that which is aflixed to the line on the reel — must be of gut, 



