THE *^ WELSH THROW " DESCRIBED. 33 



before they see the fly, which appears to me a 

 great objection. These Spey fishers can throw this 

 under-handed cast as far as an expert hand in the 

 ordinary way. A peculiar rod is necessary, which 

 must be very stiff. Indeed, a common salmon- 

 rod would be apt to break in the hands of these 

 fishers. Tlie cast is easily learned, but must be 

 seen to be thoroughly understood." 



The second* of the two authorities I have just 

 referred to, writes: — "We" (I fancy the author 

 means salmon-anglers of Wales, the Wye, and 

 rivers contiguous,) " have a mode of sending out 

 the fly in quest of salmon, known, I believe, by the 

 name of the ' Welsh throw.' The fly is brought 

 as near you as the length of line will admit, by 

 drawing the rod, almost perpendicularly or in- 

 clining a trifle, behind you, either on the right hand 

 or the left, immediately delivering the line be- 

 fore, while the fly and several yards of line remain 

 on the water. The line in this case sweeps along 

 the water, and the fly reaches the surface last. 

 To accomplish this throw the rod must be well 

 proportioned to the line. If the rod be powerful, 

 so must be the line. If the rod be lighter, the 

 line must be proportionably so, else to succeed is 



* " The Rod and Line, &c." just published by Longman 

 & Co. 



D 



