Casting the Fly. 265 



ly, as well as made clear the method by which it may be 

 attained. 



The coach must next see to it that the caster by no 

 means begins the forward impulse, until the line has ex- 

 tended behind to the limit of its length. 



Ignore the front cast altogether in the first lessons, 

 considering it merely as a necessary preparation for the 

 back cast, and as otherwise of no consequence whatever. 

 Concentrate the attention on these two features of the 

 back cast altogether (except, of course, to insist that the 

 body and unemployed arm are motionless, and that the 

 impulse proceeds from the wrist). Hang to these two 

 points as if they were all there was to fly-casting, for 

 really this assumption will be but little wide of the 

 truth. 



Having given the backward impulse to the line, it 

 will be found that an interval must intervene between 

 this and the forward impulse, during which the line is 

 occupied in straightening itself out. This pause is ab- 

 solutely essential, and an undue abridgment of its du- 

 ration is the most common of all faults. It varies, of 

 course, with the length of line used; and since the caster 

 cannot see behind him, that he may know when the exact 

 moment for the forward impulse has arrived, he must use 

 the eyes of another, or experiment in the dark. 



The coach will therefore watch the line, and when it 

 has thus extended its full length give the word "Now!" 

 Thereupon let the caster at once give the forward im- 

 pulse. It will require a little practice on the part of the 

 former to give the word at the proper moment, and on 

 the part of the latter promptly to respond, but this will 

 be soon overcome. 



By a rigid adherence to this method of coaching and 



