220 SHOOTING THE LINE 



If, therefore, the backward motion of any cast, 

 whether straight or curved, has been properly made, 

 and if the correct forward motion be then given to 

 the rod, the impetus imparted to the line will be 

 sufficiently great to pull through the rings of the rod 

 from 1 to 3 yards of the slack line between the 

 hand and the reel, provided always that the amount 

 of line which has been lifted from the water in the 

 back cast is well within the limit of the thrower's 

 capability. This is known as " shooting the line." 

 When fishing it secures the following advantages : a 

 greater length in the cast, less exertion to reach the 

 desired spot with the fly, greater accuracy, and a 

 lighter line. The line will only shoot, however, when 

 the correct forward action of the rod is made. If any 

 two men compete one against the other with similar 

 rods and lines, he who can shoot the most line in the 

 forward cast so far as this forward action alone is 

 concerned will be the better fly thrower. As with 

 golf, so with the salmon rod : don't press. It is knack 

 and not strength which achieves the best and most 

 accurate casts. Never exert your last pound of 

 strength ; keep well within the limit of your power. 

 A correct action is perhaps the most important art 

 in fly casting. At the finish of any cast, if there is 

 any slack line hanging below the upper hand and the 

 winch reel up at once ; never have any slack line 

 before the winch when expecting a rise. 



