184 CASTING TACKLE AND METHODS 



expertly; let him think so but keep his thoughts to 

 himself. Such an understanding will obviate all 

 chances for friction. It is as useless to give an angler 

 advice as it is to waste it upon a lover : both will be 

 angered. What the Latins used to say of the lover, 

 "Omnis amans, amens" ("Every lover is demented) , 

 applies with equal felicity to the modern follower of 

 Izaak Walton. 



The man paddling should sit in the stern, the man 

 with the rod well forward; thus the boat will main- 

 tain a level keel, and the caster, if at all skillful, 

 need not worry about the back-cast. Such an 

 arrangement also has the advantage of placing the 

 rodster "first at the fish." The boatman should bend 

 his energies to put the man in the bow within easy 

 casting distance of every snag, pool, and likely look- 

 ing spot. Note I said "easy casting distance": the 

 rodster should never attempt overly long casts, or 

 run the chance of losing control of his lure. Unless 

 you are perfectly familiar with the water, a 40 foot 

 cast is long enough in all conscience, for a dangerous 

 snag may lurk just beneath the most alluring and 

 innocent appearing surface. Remember, too, that 

 the caster is stealing along almost noiselessly, the dip 

 of his paddle creating practically no disturbance. If 

 the stream is not too wide, keep in the middle cast- 

 ing right and left, as the current seems to dictate, 

 remembering that ordinarily the best water will be 



