WET AND DRY FLY FISHING 59 



practical demonstration by the river, than 

 from a week's perusal of books. 



When first the beginner essays fly-casting, 

 he invariably uses the rod as he would a 

 driving-whip, in which case his arm, the 

 whip-stock and the lash all go out together. 

 Now, even when hitting one of the leaders in a 

 team, the distance the lash has to travel is 

 not far. But a fly or a cast of flies has often 

 to be sent some considerable distance ; and 

 not only that, but the flies must alight softly, 

 without tangle or splash, and be accurate in 

 the direction of their fall. Assuming that 

 the beginner's rod is stiff and resilient, as 

 well as properly balanced, he will soon be 

 able to fish neatly if he concentrates on cast- 

 ing "from the butt." It is from the rod butt 

 that proceeds the impulse which directs the 

 flies on their journey, which impulse is itself 

 imparted to the butt by the angler's wrist 

 and arm. For in order that the rod shall 

 act, it must spring, and before it can do 

 this, it must be tightly gripped. Once 

 gripped its next movement is confined within 

 a very small area ; and with the wrist acting 

 as a lever by which the spring and resiliency 

 of the rod is set in motion or retarded, the 

 forearm moves only so far as is necessary 

 to give free play to the wrist, direction 



