46 BROOK AND RIVER TROUTING 



The experienced angler will do this instinctively, and 

 will make his first cast to the sharp run at the edge of 

 the bank. His second will be made slightly more 

 across ; and, after he has released another foot or two 

 of line, his flies at the third throw will search the slack 

 water behind the rock. Here the cast will be repeated 

 two or three times in rapid succession, the flies not being 

 allowed to remain in the water more than a moment, 

 lest the current pick up the line and cause a drag. 



The fear of drag is ever present, but drag may be 

 avoided in many cases, if care is exercised in regulating 

 the speed at which the rod point is raised as the flies are 

 swept down by the current. When the flies have been 

 thrown to a quieter bit of water and there is a danger 

 of the current picking up the line, the moment of drag 

 can often be postponed if the cast finishes in a wavy line 

 on the water, as the current has to pickup the slack before 

 the drag takes effect on the flies. To cast thus is a feat 

 not difficult of achievement for many of the fraternity. 



Another throw is now made, then another, each 

 rather more across stream, and then, as a result of the 

 next cast, the flies are hustled rapidly down a race 

 between two boulders. Here, as in all swift-flowing 

 water, it is necessary to make several casts before the 

 angler can be sure that his flies have thoroughly 

 searched the run ; and it is most important to keep 

 in mind that the casts of a past master at upstream 

 fly fishing follow quickly one after another. 



