ROD & CREEL 55 



Casting. There are several ways of casting, with a right or 

 left swing, underhand or overhead, and while it is not necessary, 

 it is often very useful to be able to do them all, especially the 

 first two. 



No matter what kind of a cast you make it should be made 

 with easy, graceful motions, using just sufficient force to propel 

 the bait the required distance. The novice had better begin with 

 the right swing, using only a lead, which should be at least one 

 ounce weight, at first in place of a bait, which should only be 

 three feet from the end of his rod. To make this cast there are 

 two motions, first, the backward swing to allow the bait to swing 

 well behind you, then the forward motion, which must be made 

 with the body swinging well from the hips. Before making the 

 cast you must stand in a proper position, which should be squarely 

 facing the direction you wish your bait to go. The feet should 

 be about a foot apart and as firmly planted as the nature of the 

 river bed will allow. You then start the first movement by swing- 

 ing from the hips round to the right, the rod going well behind 

 you with just enough force to extend the bait to the full length 

 of the cast. You then start the second movement, at the same time 

 releasing the bait, by swinging body and rod back with more 

 vigor, the rod being inclined upwards, until you are pointing in 

 the required direction. In making the forward cast the main 

 thing is to avoid any suspicion of a jerk and to hold the rod in 

 such a position that the bait pulls direct on the reel with little 

 friction on the rings. 



In learning to cast use a heavy lead at first and only attempt 

 very short distances. As in fly fishing, a lawn is a good place 

 to practice, only keep away from windows, as first attempts 

 generally are erratic and your lead is apt to go in a most unex- 

 pected direction. 



How to Fish. The best water to fish for steelheads is in the 

 "reaches," that is, where the river broadens out below a rapid 

 and the current is of moderate rate and the water of fair depth. 

 Deep, still pools are not so good as though fish lie in them they 

 are more apt to be stale fish. Sometimes, especially where there 

 is a big rock, you will find a fish in very swift water. 



In starting to fish, wade well into the water until it is above 

 your knees and let your first cast be a very short one. Then, still 

 standing in the same place, make a second cast five or six feet 

 longer in exactly the same direction. The direction of your cast 

 as a general thing should be almost straight across, inclining 

 more down stream for a slacker current. The third and following 

 casts should all be made from the same place and in the same 

 direction until you are getting well across the river or have 

 reached your limit. You then take two steps down stream and 

 cast again the same distance as your last cast. If your cast is not 



