NATURAL FLY-FISHING. ^89 



of the rod to the top ; and, then again, as much more 

 as will reach within a yard of your butt-end from the 

 top : the line will then, of course, be nearly as long as 

 the rod, which will be quite as much as is necessary 

 for a learner to throw j indeed, when you have attained 

 the art of throwing a fly thirty yards, to any given 

 spot, you may use line ad libitum. Having fastened 

 your bottom v^nth the line, hold the hook, by the bend, 

 in the left hand, between your thumb and finger ; the 

 rod in the right hand, pointing to the leftj bring 

 the top of the rod gently round to the right, making a 

 sweep over your right shoulder, casting forward the 

 fly, which you let go the moment you are in the act of 

 throwing j practise this, with a moderate wind at your 

 back, either on land or in water, till you have gained 

 the art. Some prefer the following method of casting 

 a fly : raise your arm, and forming nearly a circle, 

 round your head, from the left shoulder, by waving the 

 rod, cast the line from you before you return your arm 

 from the head ; then draw the fly lightly and gently 

 towards the shore j have a quick and attentive eye to 

 your bait ; for, if a Fish rises at it, and you omit that 

 moment striking, (a very slight movement of the wrist 

 is sufficient to hook the Fish,) the Fish is lost, for they 

 immediately discover the fraud, and throw the bait 

 from their mouth. Thus continue to cast in your line 

 in search, and fish every yard of water likely to afford 

 sport, and never despair of success ; for, sometimes, 

 it so happens, that after many fruitless hours, spent 

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