The weather has an extraordinary effect on fish: I mean on their disposition to feed. In an easterly wind trout will not rise freely; thunder-storms they abominate; and very boisterous winds are unfavourable, let them proceed from what quarter they may. During and after gentle showers, with not too much wind, is the time, par excellence, for beguiling trout. Avoid a very bright day, unless there is sufficient wind to cause a strong ripple; but even then few trout will be your reward on a very bright day. A dark day succeeding a light night is never to be missed if you wish to fill your basket, for trout are almost as timid in a bright moonlight night as during the day. In such nights they will not feed freely. Should the next day, therefore, prove gloomy, it will probably repay you for many disappointments. In cold weather, fish only in the middle of the day: in hot weather, morning and evening are to be preferred. The evening is, I think, better than the morning; probably because, as trout abstain in a great measure from feeding during the heat, they are more eager when they recommence; and as they generally feed freely during the night, they are less eager for food in the morning. An hour before the disappearance of twilight, and, unless the night be very dark, an hour afterwards, will afford the best sport, and the largest fish. I once met with a singular proof of this. I had been fishing at Colonel Hawker’s, Long Parish, Hants, and the day being very hot and bright, and no wind, I had bad sport. The keeper assured me, that if I waited until dark, and then fished a certain piece of backwater he pointed out, I should take some fine fish. Seeing by the movement of this water a fish was upon the feed during the twilight, I cast my fly for him, but as soon as it reached the water he was off. The keeper told me I was too early, that the fish were large and wary, that I must wait until it was dark. I did so, and putting on a large grey drake, in less than an hour I took four fine trout, weighing upwards of three pounds each. Although it was conveniently dark, the fish could see my fly, but could not see me or the line, and I could perceive a rise by a sort of bright flash in the water.
Do not allow your shadow to pass over the water if you can avoid it. You will rarely take a trout soon afterwards at the place where your shadow has passed over the water.
If you happen to be on the stream on a day when you have little sport, by all means repair to the same water the next day if you have reason to believe the trout to be moderately plentiful, and you will probably find them feeding freely. “Trout affection not long fasts,” as dear old Isaac would say.
Skill in fly-fishing is neutralised by anger and impatience. Patience and perseverance stand at the head of the angler’s cardinal virtues. With good tackle and proper-sized flies, moderate skill, and a favourable day, the tyro will astonish the natives of the stream if he keeps out of their sight; and if a little experience be added to the above, he may perchance astonish himself.
However fine the weather, wear long boots, as nearly waterproof as may be.
Frequently examine your fly to ascertain if it be in good order. I have often hooked a good trout, which soon got away, and, upon examination of my fly, I found the barb of the hook gone.
Take care that you do not, by a too sudden jerk, when bringing the fly forward for a fresh cast, snap it off. This often happens to the tyro, and sometimes to old hands. A slight, sharp, snapping noise of the line, in bringing it forward for a cast, is a sure symptom of the loss of the fly.
Never fish without carrying a landing net with you, or having it carried for you. The largest fish are frequently lost for want of a landing net, especially when you fish with small flies. If possible, the fish should never see the landing net, nor the person who uses it. Never allow the landing net to be poked at a fish; and never touch the line, nor allow it to be touched, whilst you have a good-sized fish at the end of it.
Carry with you, when fishing, a disengaging instrument, which you may screw to the butt end of the handle of your landing net, when required. The instrument is very useful for disengaging your fly and line from weeds, bushes, &c. It is sold in most of the fishing-tackle shops, and is in the form below. The edge b is made sufficiently sharp to cut away weeds, bushes, &c.