232 THE SPEY THROW 



that when the forward thrash of the rod is made, a 

 sufficient belly of the line will exist to carry enough 

 impetus to pick up in its forward curl all the line lying 

 on or in the water. 



The strength put into the backward sweep depends 

 on the length of the rod, the length and weight of the 

 line, and the amount of loop which is going to be per- 

 mitted to extend itself behind the fisherman. 



The motion of the rod in the Spey throw may be 

 described as a continuous underhand up-stream sweep 

 of the rod to either side, which is more or less quickly 

 and forcibly returned in a higher plane either as a 

 side or vertical forward cast. The body, prior to the 

 forward thrash, should be turned to face the direction 

 in which the fly will have to go. 



In making the Spey cast, every consideration has to 

 be given to the surrounding circumstances, and to the 

 position of the fisherman, whether he be w^ading, stand- 

 ing on a low clear spit of land, or fishing from a broken 

 and rough bank, and hedged in behind with various 

 dangers. The action of the rod must in any case be 

 continuous, and while it is most frequently returned 

 somewhat as in the side stroke, and without raising 

 the upper arm above the shoulder (see Plate XXXVI.), 

 yet it can with advantage be brought upward and for- 

 ward over the shoulder as in the overhead cast. 



In either case, the object is to send the line forward 

 without permitting it to extend itself backward, and 

 the rod in the forward action, when coming abreast 

 of the fisherman with a gradually increasing motion. 



