PROPER POSITION IN CASTING. 15 



come an expert fly-fisher. With might and main he 

 must struggle to vanquish them. They are caused 

 by letting the fore-arm fall too low whilst casting, 

 and bending the body forward in unison with the 

 downward motion of the arm. 



Here is the remedy. When you have made 

 your casting movement brought round your rod 

 and line over the shoulder, and propelled them 

 forwards, the motion of the wrist and elbow-joint 

 must be gradually checked the instant the line is 

 straightening itself in its onward course. The 

 body must be upright, the chest held rather back, 

 and the bust must not assume any marked for- 

 ward or stooping position. You will find, if you 

 hold your rod properly, that the end of it nearest 

 to you, the part between your hand and the spear 

 or spike, will come in contact with the under part 

 of your fore-arm just as your line is approaching 

 the water. This contact will prevent the point 

 of your rod following the line so low as to cause 

 a great part of the latter to roll on to the water. 

 Stand with your left foot a little forward., and flat 

 on the ground, with a firm purchase ; the right 

 foot a little behind, the toes turned out, and the 

 ball of the foot touching the ground with a slight 

 springy pressure. Your left upper arm must 

 hang loosely by your side ; the fore part curbed 

 from the elbow-joint will bring your left hand 

 over and opposite to the outer ends of the right 



