92 THROWING THE FLY. 



Theoph. I implied as much when I began the 

 subject, so no quizzing. When you have made 

 one fair throw on to the water, you have no further 

 difficulty, and when you acquire to moderate skill, 

 you may pick up your fly from any spot by the 

 motion of your rod, as well as with your fingers, 

 preparatory to delivering it again on the water. 

 But to begin with the beginning. Hold your fly 

 at the bend lightly between the forefinger and 

 thumb of your left hand, then make a sweep, 

 with the point of your rod backwards, then 

 towards the water : then letting go the hook, pro- 

 ceed to make your cast as I have already directed ; 

 and, in making your future casts, always prepare 

 to do so before the rod comes near the perpen- 

 dicular, or you will not be able to get the line 

 off the water. I should also tell you that it is 

 advisable, as some situations may require it, and 

 especially to relieve your arms by a change, 

 while using a double-handed rod, to reverse 

 this mode of throwing, commencing with the 

 rod facing your left shoulder, bring it round 

 in front towards your right shoulder, and then 

 over it and behind you from right to left, and 

 over your left again, as in this (fig. 16 ante.) 

 In this mode a double-handed rod must be held 

 left hand uppermost. Look at the diagrams 

 (figs. 14 and 16), and in a word, the utility of 

 this change becomes obvious. Suppose you 



