FLY-FISHING. 267 



measured along the water by a rope sti'etched taut 

 and marked at every foot of its length with buoys ; 

 parallel with this, and close to it, a staging was 

 erected, on which the spectators could stand and 

 observe accurately the quality of every cast. The 

 contestants were required to use both hands, and 

 were restricted to five minutes' time. The judges 

 were three of the most experienced fishermen of the 

 State, one of whom is celebrated for his proficiency 

 in, and devotion to casting the fly. 



It will be observed that several customary advan- 

 tages were lost by this disposition, or brought to an 

 equality; there was no elevation above the water, 

 which is always difficult to measure, and which, of 

 course, adds immensely to the distance that can be 

 covered ; there was little or no wind to add to the 

 forward motion of the line, and no current to 

 straighten it out, or assist, by a slight resistance to 

 the rod, in recovering it, which, after all, is the main 

 difficulty, as the line that can be lifted and extended 

 behind the fisherman will readily reach its full 

 length in front of him; and the distance cast was 

 measured, not along the line, which will invariably 

 sag more or less, and may have its length consider- 

 ably augmented by an irregularity in delivery, but 

 along the water. Moreover, the Competitors were 

 required to make a neat as well as long cast, lest 

 they should be ruled out for want of delicacy, and 

 had to prove their thorough proficiency by dexterity 

 with the left hand. 



The rods used were respectively of ash, with a 



