TROUT FLY-FISHING IN AMERICA 



the art of casting and it is usually only a short time there- 

 after before he can cast a "fair" line. 



The extent or degree of curvature which takes place 

 in any rod, when casting, depends upon how much force 

 is exerted in making the recovery and delivery of the fly 

 (the "forward" and "backward" cast) and also upon the 

 character of the rod. If it is a very flexible rod the curva- 

 ture will be considerable, but the degree of curvature in 

 any rod naturally is in proportion to the stiffness of the 

 different joints. 



Remember always when casting that the line must 

 straighten out and the fly must go just as far back of the 

 angler on the "backward" cast as it goes in front of the 

 angler on the "forward" cast, otherwise the fly will fall 

 short and a bungling cast will be the result. Therefore, it 

 is very essential to see that there is a sufficiently large and 

 clear space behind for the "backward" cast to be properly 

 made, and this should be done before the angler begins 

 casting. 



The natural or trained ability of the angler determines, 

 almost, if not entirely, the distance he can cast ; but in wet- 

 fly fishing the mere question of distance or length of cast is 

 of little real importance. 



Under no circumstances should an angler cast a line 

 such a distance that it is left slack after the fly touches the 

 water, except in dry-fly fishing, for when such is the case 

 the ability to strike a rising fish is materially lessened. 



In fly-fishing there is what is called the "short cast," the 

 "medium cast" and the "long cast" and under ordinary 



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