132 THROWING UNDER BUSHES. 



you must reverse your throw as in fig. 16 

 Whichever way it be, the backward motion of the 

 rod is the same as in common throwing, and 

 instead of causing the point to describe the 

 straight line M E H (tig. 14 and 16), in its pro- 

 gress forwards, it must be depressed outwards 

 almost horizontally ; and as the line unfolds itself 

 towards the spot aimed at, it must be watched 

 well, and if it seem likely to catch the branches, 

 the rod, by being gently drawn back about a foot 

 still nearer the surface of the water, will probably 

 guide the fly to its destination, and at all events 

 avoid the danger. I may tell you, that, provided 

 you have plenty of clear space behind, you may 

 reach under bushes by throwing horizontally, as 

 though you wanted to " touch up" the off fore- 

 leg of the off leader in the four-in-hand ; and it is 

 then the best plan, especially where the bush lies 

 on your own side of the stream and at your left. 

 I observe that Col Hawker recommends the use 

 of the left hand when the wind blows very strong 

 directly across from the right ; but 1 do not con- 

 ceive it to be of the least advantage, because, by 

 throwing backwards over the right and forwards 

 over the left shoulder, as in fig. 16 (ante) the 

 same effect is produced, as I have just told you. 

 However, it would be no inconvenience to prac- 

 tise with the left hand, if it were merely as a 

 temporary relief to the right. And it is abso- 



