TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



the motion is stopped. In making the "backward" cast the 

 ferrule of the butt joint describes an arc of 45 degrees; the 

 tip of the rod, however, will travel further, owing to the 

 spring of the rod, which is about 15 degrees, thus making 

 the total travel of the tip about 60 degrees. 



When making the "backward" cast it should be borne 

 in mind that there are two things which are to be avoided. 

 One is, the fly should never touch the water and the other 

 is, the fly should never be snapped. When the fly touches 

 the water on the "backward" cast the "forward" cast can- 

 not be as well executed because some control of the line is 

 thereby lost. When the fly is snapped on the "backward" 

 cast the strength of the snell or leader where attached to 

 the fly is impaired, and if snapped several times the fly 

 nearly always breaks off and is lost or it gives way when 

 a fish is struck. 



A very important feature in fly-casting, if not the most 

 important one, is to have control of the line at all times. 

 The greater the control the angler has of the line the 

 greater will be the results attained, and the better line will 

 be cast under the many varying conditions encountered 

 when fishing upon lake or stream. 



The beginner at fly-fishing, whether fishing the wet or 

 the dry-fly, will soon learn what is meant by the "feel of the 

 line" which should be constantly present under all condi- 

 tions of fly-fishing. 



This sense when acquired, as a general thing, marks 

 the turning point of the beginner for the better in learning 



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