204 ROD AND RIVER 



off the water, and without risk of detriment to the 

 rod or fear of scaring the fish. The above plan 

 will be found useful in all cases where a long line 

 has to be used. 



When boughs or other obstructions intervene, 

 it will be necessary to cast horizontally, either to 

 the right or left side, as the case may be. Now, 

 in thus casting, it is, as will very readily be 

 understood, more difficult to place the fly on the 

 exact spot which may be required, because the 

 tendency will be for it to describe an arc, and 

 thus fall too much to the right or left ; and this 

 tendency will be found to be greater when the 

 cast is made on the right side than when it is 

 made back-handed. All the same, this style of 

 casting is, when neatly done, very effective, for 

 not only is it thereby possible to prevent the 

 shadow of the rod scaring the fish, and the fly 

 being used in situations which would be impos- 

 sible by the overhead style; but, as Mr. Halford 

 states and I have repeatedly proved the truth of 

 the assertion when fishing with a dry fly the 

 latter is more likely to fall in its proper position, 

 with its wings upright, on the water, than when 

 casting overhead. 



Where the position is cramped, and neither of 

 the above methods can be adopted, the switch, 

 or spey cast, as it is termed, must be resorted to, 

 especially where there are high rocks or trees, 



