FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 329 
an east or north-east wind very rarely produces the same satis- 
factory results, This may in part be due to the smaller show 
of the fly when the wind is ‘snell and keen ;’ yet this explana- 
tion hardly meets the case, as trout often take very well when 
flies are scarce. We may, however, assume it is a general 
though unexplained rule that a moist air is better than a dry 
one. 
In waters with which we are familiar something may be 
learned from the colour of the surface. I was fishing long ago 
with my brother in Loch Fruchie, and taking fish, such as they 
were, very fast. Suddenly the old boatman said, ‘Ye may pit 
doon yer gaud noo.’ My brother to humour him at once laid 
down his rod. I being, rather what Mrs. Tabitha Bramble calls 
an ‘imp-fiddle’ in such matters, merely asked why? ‘She’s 
the wrang colour’ was his brief answer ; and certainly, though 
the breeze continued, the aspect of the loch had become dull 
and sullen. I fished on, however, and in the course of the 
next hour caught one small fish, when the veteran very pointedly 
said to my brother—ignoring me as unteachable—‘ Noo, Mr. 
John, ye may tak yer gaud again.’ And sure enough, the hue 
of the lake had grown brighter and livelier, and the fish came 
on the feed again. 
I have borne this lesson in mind ever afterwards, and have 
certainly found that when the wavelets on a rippled pool show 
a blue or blue-black tint, there is sport to be had, but when 
they wear a dull leaden colour the fish sulk. Why they do so 
is another matter, as to which this deponent sayeth not. Again, 
after a rough stormy night, trout seldom rise well before eleven 
o’clock ; this, however, is probably owing to their having been 
on the feed all night. 
The worst of all days, undoubtedly, is one when a thunder- 
storm is threatening but delays to burst. The clouds are piled. 
in heavy masses, and every break in their array shows a lurid 
light gleaming through, of an indescribable tint between amber 
and lilac ; the air is hushed and still but for an- occasional hot 
gust, which seems to come from nowhere in particular. You 
