SEPTEMBER 217 



very early in the year, when rain from 

 the south-west is accompanied by a quick 

 melting of snow on the mountains. 



A two-yards rise, which may be called 

 a moderate flood, is what comes in less 

 intemperate autumn. It is quite without 

 disadvantage from the angler's point of 

 view. A flood which comes mainly or 

 largely from out of the snowdrifts is very 

 cold, so cold that fish of all kinds abstain 

 from food ; but the flood early in autumn 

 is from rain only, rain just cold enough 

 to revive their instincts and whet their 

 appetites. You are not, as in springtime 

 you sometimes are, driven far from the 

 banks. Though there is a little over- 

 flowing on a meadow here or there, the 

 river is for the most part within its own 

 recognised channel. It is muddy from 

 road water for a few hours at the begin- 

 ning of the rain; but after that it is 

 wonderfully clear, even if it be still rising. 

 Here, again, the flood in autumn differs 

 markedly from that of spring. Whilst 

 discoloration is essential and lasting early 



