The files of the Old Farmer's Almanac provide the following tips, though we give no guarantees:
- An hour both before and after high tide and an hour before and after low tide are considered ideal. Both freshwater and saltwater fish are thought to feed at these times
- Just after sunrise, or as the Almanac puts it, "just after sunup for a spell."
- When water is still or has just a ripple, fishing is better than when there is a wind.
- When the moon is between new and full.
- When the barometer is steady or on the rise. Fish will continue to feed even in a storm.
- When the breeze is from the west rather than north or east.
- If there is a hatch of flies, like mayflies or caddis, match your flies with them or go fishless, say the experts.