CHAPTER III. 



SOME DRY FLY MAXIMS. 



would ill become a humble follower of the art to enter 

 into a minute description of the various methods of casting, 

 seeing that the subject has been so fully thrashed out by 

 Mr. Halford, in his " Dry Fly Fishing " ; mere repetition 

 would be both wearisome and valueless. If anyone needs 

 instruction on the subject, let him turn to that volume, 

 and read, mark, and learn. It seems to me, however, 

 that a correct style can best be obtained by accompanying and watching 

 a really competent fisherman. No amount of book reading will secure 

 this, and as in all kindred sports, practice, and intelligent practice, is 

 absolutely necessary if the tyro would aspire to any excellence. The art 

 of fishing the floating fly is not one that will admit of any mediocrity. It 

 requires and demands such accuracy, such co-ordination of delicacy and 

 strength, that mediocrity is impossible. 



A few points may, however, be discussed with advantage. First, and 

 foremost, do not be ambitious as to the length of line you can cast, or the 

 amount of water you can cover. Be content, rather, to fish with just 

 that length of line that you can control with ease and accuracy. In 

 the actual act of casting never sway the body ; keep the trunk rigidly 

 still, never let your hand, in the backward cast, go beyond a vertical 

 point above your shoulder ; keeping the elbow near the side, get all 

 the work you can out of the rod ; it will do all that is required of it 

 so long as you do not over-cast with it. Watch the expert angler ; 



