152 IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CASTING. 



tically applied as well as studied, in the same way 

 that all merely theoretical knowledge is, a priori, 

 inferior. 



Throwing the line claims our first attention, 

 for a perfect knowledge of that process is the first 

 thing to be acquired by the tyro in fly-fishing. 

 " You may have," says Fitzgibbon, " the best 

 rod and tackle that ever appeared on the banks of 

 the Dove, and you may have ' toleration' to fish 

 in the most closely preserved parts of that lovely 

 stream in those parts that are absolutely alive 

 with trout and grayling but if you do not know 

 how to throw, cast, or fling a line in the manner 

 of an artist, you will not be able to make a single 

 fin show itself above the surface of the water. 

 ' He throws a fly as well as any man in England,' 

 is a common eulogistic expression, as if perfection 

 in that single operation was a guarantee that the 

 adept was equally skilled in everything that per- 

 tains to his art. It is tantamount to saying he 

 is the best fly-fisher in England." * 



* While we are quite willing to admit the great im- 

 portance of throwing the line, it would be contrary to our 

 experience to say that we agree, in toto, with the writer 

 whose remarks we have quoted in the text. The me- 

 chanical act of throwing the line may be acquired by many 

 a man who is too clumsy or impatient, or who does not 

 possess sufficient judgment, to play and land a fish in a 



