FLY-FISHING. 391 



in it. These are the main principles involved, and the 

 first or backward motion is merely preparatory to the 

 second or forward one, the latter being the most im- 

 portant. 



But the style and manner of making these two motions 

 are all-important; for upon the correct, skillful, and, I 

 might say, scientific performance of them, depends the 

 success of the angler. The main objects of the two mo- 

 tions are, first, to get the line and cast behind the angler 

 in a straight line, without lapping or kinking ; and, sec- 

 ond, to project the line forward without snapping off the 

 tail-fly, casting it perfectly straight, without confusion, and 

 causing the flies to alight before the line, without a splash, 

 and as lightly as the natural insect dropping into the water. 

 This can only be done by the novice, with a short line, 

 about the length of his rod, and he should not attempt a 

 longer cast until he is perfect in this. When he can lay 

 out his short line perfectly straight before him, w^ithout a 

 splash, every time, he can then venture further. 



But we are getting along too fast; we must go back to 

 first principles — the two motions. 



The backward and forward movements are each made 

 in about the same length of time, but while the former is 

 a single movement, the latter is a double one ; that is, it is 

 divided into two motions, or parts ; though these two for- 

 ward motions are made in the same length of time as the 

 backward movement. 



I will now try to explain these movements more ex- 

 plicitly, with the aid of the annexed cuts and diagrams. 



The prospective fly-fisher having his rod, reel and cast 

 in readiness, stands near the bank of the stream, with a 

 clear space of fifteen or twenty feet behind him. Having 



