124 ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY. 



occasions they will rise greedily at a spider, if the 

 angler keeps well out of sight, and throws lightly 

 over them ; he must also take care that the shadow 

 of his rod does not fall upon the water in their neigh- 

 bourhood. The capture of one will, however, scare 

 away the others, and they will not return for some 

 time. 



Trout will rarely, even in the heat of summer, 

 take fly readily early in the morning ; they generally 

 commence about six, and continue taking for four 

 or five hours, when they stop for some time ; com- 

 mencing again in the evening, if the weather is 

 favourable. At all seasons, the forenoon is the best 

 time, unless, perhaps, in June and July, when they 

 will take most freely about sunset. 



The atmosphere at this season is frequently in 

 a calm thundery state, with heavy white clouds 

 floating about, which is not favourable to the angler. 

 From the end of May to the end of August, a drizz- 

 ling or thoroughly wet day is the best ; next to 

 which is a showery one, and then a bright day with 

 a breeze of wind ; a dark day without wind is the 

 worst of all. East wind, which is looked upon 

 with so much horror at the commencement of the 

 season, is not- at all objectionable now ; being 

 rather favourable than otherwise, as it is generally 

 Accompanied with a cool atmosphere. 



In July we have always met with even less 

 sport when the water was coloured than when it 

 was clear, which we can only account for by sup- 



