250 FISHING WITH THE FLY. 



water, do it with a quick movement, decreasing the 

 motion until your rod is at an angle of not quite forty- 

 five degrees behind you, this angle to be varied accord- 

 ing to circumstances which cannot be foreseen. Then 

 the rod must come to a short pause, just long enough 

 to allow the line and leader time to straighten out 

 fairly, no more. Then the forward motion must be 

 made with a degree of force and quickness in propor- 

 tion to the length of line you have out, decreasing the 

 force until the rod is about horizontal ; do not bring 

 your rod to a sudden stop, or your line and your flies 

 will come down with a splash and all in a heap ; but 

 lay your line out gently, my friend, and your flies will 

 fall like snowflakes. It is not muscle but " gentle art " 

 that is required. "Take it easy" and keep trying. 



In an open space, from a boat for instance, take 

 your flies very nearly straight off the water ; never 

 dropping the point of your rod much to the right, 

 as this leaves your line on the water and makes it hard 

 to lift. Take your flies up with a quick movement, 

 nearly vertical, and wait for them to straighten and 

 cast again directly towards the point to which you wish 

 them to go. 



After you have acquired the skill to cast straight 

 before you will be time enough for you to practise side 

 casts, under casts, etc., that you will have to use where 

 there are obstacles before and behind you. The same 

 movements to cast and retrieve your lines, will apply 

 under all circumstances, whether in open water or on 



