FROM LAND AND PIER 195 



run ' unless slightly checked. The bait steadily loses way, but 

 the reel keeps whirling round at an enormous rate, and the most 

 fearful entanglement will ensue if its speed is not diminished. 

 When the bait has passed halfway on its course through the 

 air, or sometimes a good deal less, the first finger of the left 

 hand should gently touch the rim of the reel and put on a 

 slight drag, stopping the reel altogether just as the bait touches 

 the water. The drag is not intended to check the bait, but 

 simply to cause the reel to revolve only just so fast as is required 

 to feed line to the bait which is passing through the air. 



For the first day or two it is as well not to attempt any long 

 casts, and it is far better to put too heavy a drag on the reel 

 than too light a one. Not only has the art to be acquired, but 

 the particular reel the tiro is using has to be learned. I 

 made many a bad cast with a new rod or reel until I got 

 into the way of it, and am not ashamed to confess it, for it is 

 the experience of most fishermen. 



When the cast has been made the next thing to do is to reel 

 in the line quickly until the bait is brought right up to our feet. 

 The butt of the rod should rest on the left hip, the left 

 hand now holding the rod above the reel, on to which it guides 

 the line, while the right hand does the winding. It will be 

 noted that when making the cast, I directed the right hand to 

 be above the reel and the left hand below it. This, though it 

 necessitates a shift of the hands when winding in begins 

 (unless the reel is reversed and wound in with the left hand), 

 will be found most convenient by the majority who have more 

 power and command over the right arm than the left. But 

 those who are not too right-handed (I know men who fly fish 

 as well with the left hand as the right) will certainly be well 

 advised to practise casting from the reel holding the left hand 

 above the reel and the right hand below it, with the first finger 

 of the right hand checking the reel. When winch fittings are 



