It is of the greatest consequence to acquire a correct estimate of what
really constitutes a good fishing day; and not put too much faith in
the advice of the author who wrote an article on angling, which is
published in _Brewster's Encyclopaedia_, who tells us to follow the
example of the navigator, who does not wait for a favourable wind, but
goes to sea at once, to seek for one; not to sit at home on the look
out, but go to the river in all weathers. The three great essentials of
a good Trouting day, are water, wind, and cloud, if there is a failure
in all three, you are better at home, at least that is my humble
opinion. If a deficiency or partially so in any, expect only moderate
sport, but if all three are in unison, then you may fairly calculate on
excellent diversion. There is nothing like a South West wind for
holding forth a promise of a cloudy day. As to the water, the second
day after a heavy fall of rain is often the best. The wind however
sometimes (too frequently indeed) veers into the North West, or further
on that day, and if the barometer rapidly rises at the same time, there
will be too much sunshine; on the third, if the wind veers to the South
West, the day will probably be too dark; for a dull day occurring about
new and full moon, is seldom a good angling day. A man whose avocations
do not permit him to angle in all weathers, will therefore do well to
select a day, when the three great essentials of his sport, wind,
water, and cloud, are in his favour.
NOTE.--An angler is so dependent on the weather that he should omit no
opportunity of acquiring meteorological knowledge. Electric influences
guide and coerce fish in a wonderful manner.