FISHING GENERALITIES 109 



extreme cold, let the wind sit in what quarter it will 

 and do its worst, I heed it not.' 



These are the views of two of the ancient writers 

 on angling, and old Isaac's quaint observations are full 

 of sound common sense. 



The older one grows, and the more one fishes, 

 the greater appears the folly of anticipating bad sport 

 by taking to heart in too large a degree the atmo- 

 spheric conditions which surround one. Naturally, 

 from a physical standpoint, it is far pleasanter to go 

 a-fishing with a warm, soft, south-west breeze blowing 

 gently up-stream, than to have to force a fly against 

 half a gale of wind whistling from out the bleak north- 

 east. But though in the one case you may be kept at 

 a comfortable temperature all day, and in the other 

 be bitterly cold, it is by no means so certain that the 

 north-easter will not bring a better bag with it than 

 the south-wester. 



On this point it is worth while to refer to the fish- 

 ing diary ; and it is interesting to note what good 

 days have been obtained, as to which the entries con- 

 cerning the weather run somewhat on these lines : 

 'Strong, cold, down-stream wind from N.E. : Hail- 

 storms at times : Fish rose well between the squalls.' 

 Not only does this apply to the earlier spring months, 

 when inclement weather is to be expected, but also 



