SWITCHING 205 



etc., behind the fisherman. This is by no means 

 an easy cast to describe, still less to learn to do 

 well. However, I will do my best to explain it. 

 It is most difficult to use it when fishing up- 

 stream, for it is a necessity, in order to get any 

 length of line out, that it should be made directly 

 down-stream, and in a fairly rapid flow of water. 

 It is thus performed : 



The fisherman must face as directly down- 

 stream as possible. A line a little longer than his 

 rod being straight out on the water in front of 

 him, the rod must be raised until the fly is 

 brought as close up to his feet as he can con- 

 veniently manage ; the instant it has reached 

 this spot, the point of the rod must be brought 

 sharply down with a firm, stiff wrist in a direc- 

 tion pointing to where it is desired to place the 

 fly. The latter, if the cast is properly made, 

 will leave the water, and, describing an arc in 

 front of the fisherman, will shoot out to the full 

 length of the line. If the system which I have 

 referred to, of keeping slack line out at one's feet, 

 is adopted, the length of cast will be materially 

 increased ; but great care is necessary to see that 

 the line is perfectly clear of the very slightest 

 obstruction, inasmuch as a single blade of grass, 

 or a slender piece of stick, will suffice to check its 

 running. 



By means of this cast many a river can be 



