STREAMCRAFT 



drop before the line rests on the water; this is 

 something quite different. A short cast is one 

 from twenty to thirty feet; thirty to forty feet 

 is a medium cast; and forty to fifty feet is a long 

 cast for actual fishing; and many more fish are 

 caught with casts under than over forty feet. 



South and West winds, between the new moon 

 and the first quarter, and sky overcast and a 

 slight ripple on the water these always have 

 been considered favorable conditions for lively 

 sport. Moderate height of water should also 

 be included. Under such circumstances the 

 quarry may be expected to be feeding more in- 

 dustriously and to see the bait without seeing 

 also the tackle and the "tackier." Mr. Clap- 

 ham, previously quoted, maintains that at- 

 mospherical pressure is the principal cause of 

 bringing the trout to the flies "to be precise, 

 a sudden increase of pressure, as comes after a 

 thunder-storm. The red-letter day comes only 

 with a rapid increase of pressure, and the bar- 

 ometer is going up. It is very easy to verify 

 this by keeping an eye on the instrument, and 

 visiting the water when conditions are right. 

 Sport is then certain, until the mean pressure is 

 reached; after which things settle down again 

 until the next atmospherical disturbance." 



We have not yet included a barometer in our 

 angling equipment, and notwithstanding such 

 astute observations we believe, whatever may 

 148 



