22 THE SIDE CAST 



THE SIDE CAST 



The right-hand side cast is made with a precisely 

 similar rod action to the overhead cast, but the rod 

 is brought back more or less horizontally to the right 

 side of the body, and returned in the same plane, the 

 object being to prevent the line rising to any height 

 in the air. This cast is useful against the wind, and 

 also when casting under branches and bushes, while 

 the fly should fall more lightly on the water than in 

 the overhead cast. The right foot should be pointed 

 to the right, at a right angle to the direction of the 

 cast, and the left foot straight forward. The rod 

 action should be from the elbow, with a rigid wrist: 

 the body should turn completely round to the 

 right, and the rod should then be brought back to 

 an angle of about 45 degrees above the horizon 

 and about 30 degrees behind, the weight of the body 

 being principally on the right foot ; the eye can 

 thus easily command the line in the back stroke, and 

 the action is most instructive. At the conclusion of 

 the back stroke the position of the arm should be as 

 follows : elbow down, palm up and held easily extended 

 from the shoulder in the same line as the rod. 



Directly the rod is checked, at an angle of about 

 30 degrees behind the direction of the right foot, 

 the body should again turn forward, facing the spot 

 to which the fly has to be cast, the principal weight 

 coming on the left foot ; the eyes should be directed 

 towards the mark aimed at, and the forward stroke 





