TREATMENT OF CASTS 269 



A make of cast which can be obtained from most 

 dealers is the " Hercules " cast. So far as my ex- 

 perience has gone, I have found these casts good both 

 in quality and durability. 



The cast for dry fly fishing should be 3 yards in 

 length, tapering to the finest limit of safety. This 

 limit should be decided by the state of the weather, 

 the water, the time of the year, and the size of the 

 trout inhabiting the water in which you are fishing. 



Remember that the strength of the cast will be 

 determined by its weakest length. 



Experience will decide the degree of necessary 

 strength for the fine points, and when new streams 

 are tried the advice of a local fisherman or your tackle 

 maker may well be sought. 



Always have at least half a dozen casts of fine and 

 medium gut in your box when away from a tackle 

 shop, also a plentiful supply of fine gut points, 15 to 

 18 inches in length. During the day when fishing 

 keep one cast in your damping-box, and always where 

 possible soak a new cast for at least thirty minutes 

 in lukewarm water before using it. Insufficient soaking 

 or too much soaking may render the best gut un- 

 reliable. Keep your casts in a round flat metal cast- 

 box, such as is sold by all tackle makers, and always 

 between white flannel. The dyes used in coloured 

 material, etc., have very frequently a deleterious 

 effect on gut casts or traces. 



Sunlight and light generally is ruinous in its effect 

 on gut. Your spare casts should never be left exposed 



