64 SALMON FISHING 



into a condition to stand the fatigue of a day's 

 fishing. 



In briefly describing these various casts, and 

 how to perform them, the object aimed at will 

 have been accomplished, if the man who aspires 

 to be a salmon angler has received a fair impres- 

 sion of the methods by which a fly may be pro- 

 pelled ; but he has yet an important task before 

 him, and that is, actual work on the river. 



Salmon fishing is at all times heavy work, 

 both in casting and wading, and it has always 

 been a study to make it as little fatiguing as 

 possible. The position of the body is important, 

 and that which should be assumed whenever 

 possible is the erect. After delivering the fly, 

 let the arms hang down by the side naturally, 

 as shown in Plate 14. Do not rest the rod 

 against the groin and bend your back, as shown in 

 Plate 15. Should it be necessary to have the rod 

 in this position, straighten the back and hold the 

 rod with one hand only, as the fly sweeps round. 



An aching back comes without seeking it in 

 this kind of sport, but the man who finds him- 

 self able to place his fly easily, with reasonable 

 delicacy and without much exertion, will derive 

 enjoyment from the mere practice of casting, and 

 stand a fair chance of killing fish. To attempt, 

 however, to do by force that which can only be 

 accomplished by art, will only disturb the pools 



