ON LEARNING FLY-CASTING 65 



out behind and at this point you should start the for- 

 ward cast. Make the forward cast by beginning it 

 with an easy swing, putting the steam on at the wind- 

 up, and stopping the cast with a snap when parallel 

 with the ground. 



BIG POINTS TO REMEMBER 



The main points to watch are : Make the back 

 cast forcibly. Not to swing the rod back too far on 

 the back cast (keeping it at vertical rather than back 

 farther) to start the forward cast at the slightest 

 pull of the line, to start forward cast mildly, finish 

 it strong, and not to lower the rod too near the 

 water at the wind up. 



To prevent the fly from landing with a splash, 

 cast at a point in the air about a yard above the 

 target, and to make it fall lightly on the water, raise 

 the tip of the rod gently just before the fly lights. 

 If you wait too long before making the forward cast 

 the line will drop behind you and go dead, and to 

 make a successful cast the line must be alive and in 

 motion from the first rise of the rod to the drop of 

 the fly. If you start the forward cast before the 

 line straightens out behind, indicated by the tug on 

 the rod, you will likely snap off the flies. If you 

 have failed to reach the target, go through the same 

 operation of casts again, drawing a few yards more 

 of line off the reel. In fly fishing it is well to fish 

 the near waters first, increasing the distance with 



