122 THROWING THE FLY. 



thence, the tip much lowered in point of eleva- 

 tion; consequently, if the line exceed the measure 

 I have assigned to it, the fly, passing considerably 

 below the parabola c G F E, will come in con 

 tact with the earth below E, as at x, and catch. 

 If the bank rises behind, even a shorter line is 

 very apt to do this. The stiffer, in moderation, 

 the rod is, the better it lifts the line off the water 

 at the moment of the spring, and the higher is 

 it carried backward above the earth. The longest 

 line may be thrown when the ground is level 

 behind, and the bank is high above the water, or 

 where the bank, being on a level with the water, 

 rises above the ground behind. If the bank be 

 high above the water, say eight or ten feet, 

 then it is almost necessary to increase the length 

 of line, else (again referring to the diagram), the 

 point of spring, the rod being at a right angle 

 with the line at the moment of it, will be much 

 nearer to o, in the arc B o, and, but for gravita- 

 tion, would incline the fly much higher in the 

 air than D, and nearer B, so as to prejudice the 

 cast forward. A beginner's line should therefore, 

 in my judgment, be in triplicate ratio to his rod, 

 and if he practise with that, he will soonest 

 acquire perfection in longer or shorter throws. 

 If he must needs throw to a spot nearer to his 

 temporary position, he had better shift his ground, 

 and retire for the purpose, as he will then, not 



