372 SALMON AND TROUT. 



opposite to the general run of the stream outside, a fly must 

 drag ; but in a large eddy it is sometimes possible to cast up 

 the eddy and let the fly drift down it, thus placing oneself 

 apparently in the position of throwing down stream. 



Dragging owing to the fly drifting across the natural run of 

 the stream is a very usual cause of non-success. Perhaps the 

 strongest example of this is when casting to a fish rising under 

 and close to the opposite bank : the moment the line is ex- 

 tended the fly begins describing a segment of a circle, of which 

 the rod-point is the centre and the length of line the radius ; 

 and here, again, the slacker the line the longer the drag is 

 delayed. It is strange how often fishermen fail to notice this 

 class of drag, and wonder at their being unable to get an offer 

 from a fish rising freely, and in a place apparently so favourable. 

 It is in a case of this description that the advantage of a well- 

 fatted line is most evident, as it floats down with the fly, while 

 the ordinary varnished silk line sinks and causes the fly to 

 drag. 



The result of all consideration of the question of dragging 

 tends in one direction, and the lesson to be learnt cannot be 

 too strongly impressed on the minds of anglers who wish to be 

 successful, and are therefore alive to the fact that to learn this 

 or any other art they must continually study to find out their 

 mistakes. One often hears approbation expressed of the cast- 

 ing powers of various fishermen ; in the words of the majority 

 of their admirers they are loudly praised for throwing so * straight 

 a line.' I cannot conceive a stronger condemnation. In almost 

 every possible position where drag is likely to occur, the remedy 

 suggested is a slack line, and I believe that the straight line is 

 often a cause of failure in wet as well as dry fly fishing, the drag 

 taking place beneath the surface of the water, especially in fast 

 streams. 



When to cast to a rising fish is at times important. In 

 changeable weather, for example, select a moment when the 

 sun is covered by a cloud ; in hot bright weather wait, if 

 possible, for a light puff of wind to ripple the surface. When 



