THE COMMON TROUT. 223 



up their voices, and thinking not of HIM who 

 " mightier than the noise of many waters" alone 

 can " make the storm a calm, so that the waves 

 are still." 



Whatever may be either said or sung of salmon, 

 we think it luce clarius that no fish affords the 

 angler such varied or so constant sport as trout. 

 For nine months in the year, under favourable 

 circumstances, fly-fishing may be practised for them 

 with success ; and even in the winter season, should 

 the weather be comparatively mild and open, 

 " Othello's occupation" is not gone. In deepish 

 pools, and under sheltering banks, especially with 

 bait, some hardy fins, though " few and far be- 

 tween," are still upon the move, with ready mouth. 

 Westerly and southerly winds are the most favour- 

 able, particularly in spring ; but during warm and 

 cloudy summer weather, the point from which the 

 air-currents come is of slight consequence. " He 

 who considers the wind," says Solomon, " will never 

 sow ;" and the same remark is not inapplicable to 

 angling. Whoever desires to become a successful 

 practitioner in the art, must fish in all weathers, 

 and under every variety of circumstances, however 

 unpropitious the prospect may be. Trout are 

 generally supposed to rise more freely during a 

 dark and lowering day, following a clear bright 

 night, as brilliant moonshine detains them in their 

 lurking-places ; and on the ensuing day they are 

 consequently more inclined for food. On the other 

 hand, after a gloomy or darkish night they are less 

 easily tempted, having glutted themselves with 



