152 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



caster has to overcome is that of trying for distance 

 before he has acquired accuracy. Once he has 

 learned the A, B, C of casting the three movements 

 in getting out the lure, thumbing the reel, and spool- 

 ing the line let him turn his whole attention to 

 acquiring accuracy. It is far more important in 

 actual fishing to be able to place the lure in the center 

 of a spot the size of a wash-basin, than to shoot it 

 150 feet, say, not knowing where it is going to strike. 

 (More bass are caught under 50 feet than 'beyond.) 

 In the beginning of practice work the wise student 

 will not attempt to cast over 10 feet, and will keep 

 at that distance until he can hit a spot the size of his 

 hat four times out of five. He will not increase the 

 length of his cast until he has acquired absolute con- 

 trol of his lure for a given distance. He will add to 

 his cast grudgingly, foot by foot, as he wins it. This, 

 then, is the caster's golden rule : keep your accuracy, 

 distance will come all in good time. To get more 

 line out than the other fellow is not the thing to 

 strive for, but to put the lure in the little pockets of 

 open water where the fish lie. The reader may now 

 think that I am overrating the importance of accu- 

 racy, but later, if he acts upon my admonition, he 

 will rise up and call me blessed. Do not think that 

 I undervalue a long cast; there are occasions when 

 ability to lay a long line will prove of utmost worth ; 

 but as I said a moment ago, in actual fishing, more 

 bass are hooked within 50 feet than over. But what 



