WEATHEK FOR FLY-FISHING. 85 



WEATHER FOR FISHING. 



In almost all parts of the season, trout invariably 

 rise best to the fly in a brisk warm south-west breeze, 

 sufficient to produce a good curl on the water ; which 

 not only seems to excite the appetites of the fish, but 

 also serves to conceal the imperfections of the hooks 

 and tackle. While a merry south-west wind, amounting 

 almost to half a gale, is the very pink of perfection for 

 fly-fishing on all shallow, clear, or still running rivers, 

 an easterly wind, or any wind tending towards that part 

 of the compass, is the very worst that can blow for the 

 angler. During its prevalence trout will lie con- 

 tumaciously at the bottom, sullen and lethargic, as if 

 they were either very sick, very sulky, or had their 

 mouths securely closed by Chubb's patent locks, and 

 contemptuously refuse even a look at either the most 

 tempting fly or bait that can be offered. In such weather 

 it is quite in vain for any one to go near them, unless 

 it is simply for the sake of exercise. I never in all my 

 experience knew trout inclined to rise at the fly with 

 anything like ordinary eagerness during a north-east 

 wind but on one solitary occasion. But if I had the 

 power, which alone belongs to Omnipotence, of order- 

 ing such wind and weather as is best for fly-fishing, 

 I should choose one of those dappled grey mornings, 

 most frequent in the month of April, after a copious 

 shower of rain on the previous night has been just 

 sufficient to create a slight increase of water, but with- 

 out discolouring it ; and with a brisk, warm, south-west 



