EGGS FOR GRANDMOTHERS 41 



man has lifted the point of his rod, keeping all his 

 line still in front of him, and then with a strong, 

 resolute swish has brought the part nearest to the top 

 in contact with the water, and the line, as if by magic, 

 unrolls itself straight towards the place where the fish 

 usually rises, the fly alighting last of all, just in such a 

 position that without loss of time or trouble it will 

 hang at the right moment in the right position, to 

 present a temptation to the fish, which ought to be, 

 and often is, irresistible. This is the ' Spey cast,' and 

 when executed by an expert it almost deceives you 

 into believing it to be easy. If you think so, try it 

 yourself, and you will soon be undeceived. Only long 

 practice and great natural aptitude has rendered pos- 

 sible that brilliant feat. As a rule, the work done 

 behind you is more important than what you see in 

 front ; which is in a great measure its result. As in 

 golf, the swing forward is the reflection of the back 

 ward movement, and if the line has been corkscrewed 

 or curved behind your shoulder it will not be straight 

 when it is brought forward. When the fly has come 

 round to a point near the bank you are standing on or 

 under, lift your rod till the fly and gut cast are loose 

 at the top of the water, then with a strong sweep of 

 the arm send the line flying straight back over your 

 shoulder and make a similar movement forward the 



