TIIUOWIM, TIII; I-LV. 



only throw with his natural length of line, hut. 

 also be more removed from the fish's sight. The 

 secret in throwing ;i longer line than th'.it. which 



o o 



I term the rod's natund capacity, lies in the 



increase of spring given hy the wrist or fore- 



arm ; and as it is merely a spring, it in only 



practice which can strengthen the muscles of the 



wrist, or fore-arm, sufficiently to empower them 



to apply the requisite force, and instantaneously 



succeeding check upon that force, the propul- 



sive and retractive exertion commonly termed 



"knack," which constitutes it, and prevent? the 



mischief which mere force alone would inevitably 



tend to, as I think I have already made you com- 



prehend 'see fig. 18). Oh ! 'tis a glorious thing 



to strengthen the arms, is salmon-fishing ! In 



salmon-fishing, standing on a gravel bed rising 



behind, and with a long line, it is a most ruin- 



ously provoking thing, every now and then, to dis- 



co ver your fly cut to pieces, or your hook broken. 



This is done, by its hitting the gravel behind; 



and 1 can prescribe no remedy, but a shorter line, 



or a stifFer rod ! The secret also of throwing a 



short line lies in very much diminishing the force 



of the spring ; no greater force muat be applied 



than is just sufficient to throw thcjijj to the spot 



desired, else the fly will be checked, and rebound as 



before described. Before I quit the subject of plain 



