206 ROD AND RIVER 



fished which would otherwise be impossible. 

 One thing is needful, and that is that the line 

 must never be permitted to slacken or dwell 

 from the time the rod begins to move upward 

 until the downward cut is made ; hence the neces- 

 sity for the cast being made down a stream which 

 has a fairly rapid flow of water. 



It is possible, though, as I have remarked, 

 most difficult, to switch up-stream ; an old prac- 

 tised hand may be able to do so, and it is, more- 

 over, possible to switch in the air ' dry switch,' as 

 it is termed without the fly touching the water 

 till cast on it ; but it requires a pretty strong wind 

 to do it neatly, and if this prevails, it is often a 

 most useful style of cast. 



Contrary wind is one of the chief difficulties 

 with which the fisherman has to contend. A day 

 on which there is absolutely no wind, especially 

 if the sun is shining brightly, is rarely what may 

 be termed * fisherman's weather/ If it is dull, 

 the chances are that there is thunder in the air ; 

 if bright, the fish either sulk, or are far too cute 

 to be captured, being able to discern the gut, 

 which on such occasions must to them appear as 

 thick as a cart-rope. If, however, the surface of 

 the water is ruffled by a breeze, it serves as a 

 veil, and the very fact of the natural flies being 

 blown hither and thither makes the fish more 

 active and eager to capture them. I think it is 



