THROWING THF FLY. 123 



only throw with his natural length of line, but 

 also be more removed from the fish's sight. The 

 secret in throwing a longer line than that which 

 I term the rod's natural capacity, lies in the 

 increase of spring given by the wrist or fore- 

 arm ; and as it is merely a spring, it is only 

 practice which can strengthen the muscles of the 

 wrist, or fore-arm, sufficiently to empower them 

 to apply the requisite force, and instantaneously 

 succeeding check upon that force, the propul- 

 sive and retractive exertion commonly termed 

 "knack," which constitutes it, and prevents the 

 mischief which mere force alone would inevitably 

 tend to, as I think I have already made you com- 

 prehend (see fig. 18). Oh ! 'tis a glorious thing 

 to strengthen the arms, is salmon-fishing ! In 

 salmon-fishing, standing on a gravel bed rising 

 behind, and with a long line, it is a most ruin- 

 ously provoking thing, every now and then, to dis- 

 co ver your fly cut to pieces, or your hook broken. 

 This is done, by its hitting the gravel behind; 

 and I can prescribe no remedy, but a shorter line, 

 or a stiffer rod ! The secret also of throwing a 

 short line lies in very much diminishing the force 

 of the spring ; no greater force must be applied 

 than is just sufficient to throw the fly to the spot 

 desired, else the fly will be checked, and rebound as 

 before described. Before I quit the subject of plain 



