408 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



an hour or two following sunrise, in warm weather, is 

 quite favorable. On dark, cloudy, and cold days the 

 middle hours are best. Bright sunny days, especially in 

 hot weather, are not favorable to fly-fishing, except in 

 quite cool, shady, and breezy situations. In short, the best 

 conditions are a mellow or dusky light, a good breeze, and 

 translucent water; while the most unfavorable are a bright 

 sun, a still atmosphere, and a smooth and glassy surface, 

 with the water either very fine or very turbid. 



And now, in concluding this portion of my subject, let 

 me say a parting word to the beginner : Cast a straight 

 line ; keep it taut ; strike upon sight, or touch ; kill 

 your fish on the rod ; take your time. It is better to cast 

 a short line well, than a long one bunglingly. Should 

 you cast your fly into a branch of a tree overhead, or into 

 a bush behind you, or miss your fish in striking, or lose 

 him when hooked, or crack off your tail-fly, or slip into a 

 hole up to your armpits keep your temper; above all 

 things do n't swear, for he that swears will catch no fish. 

 Remember, yours is the gentle art, and a fly-fisher should 

 be a gentleman. 



