THE ANGLER AND HUNTSMAN 89 



Go straight back with the rod over the shoulder, the 

 haiid at the shoulder, elbow down close to the body. Let 

 this be your "form" at all times, to be changed only when 

 conditions such as casting under over-hanging limbs and the 

 like necessitates variation. 



By bringing the rod back over the shoulder and again 

 forward in the same path you at once eliminate all uncer- 

 tainty as to accuracy, side-wise or laterally, forgetting of 

 course, for the time being, the calculations that must be 

 made for wind, etc. Let the rod go straight back over 

 your shoulder and then bring it forward with both wrist 

 and forearm movement, pointing straight toward, but a 

 little above, the spot you wish to hit; your bait will fly just 

 as true as it is natural for you to point straight. 



Now analyze this action you will see that during both 

 forward and backward strokes it keeps your bait in a per- 

 pendicular plane with your arms and rod acting as a sweep- 

 ing radius. This is your casting territory and by staying 

 in it, in this manner, you will not imperil the eyes, ears, 

 and other parts of your companion's anatomy. You can 

 cast to either side of the boat from your original position; 

 your territorial efficiency is nearly double that which it 

 would be should you cast in any manner, other than over the 

 shoulder. Therefore, does it not seem best to learn the over- 

 the-shoulder swing? We are of the opinion that this 

 overhead cast is easier to learn first than the side cast any- 

 way. 



Try to make your movements smooth and easy, avoid 

 jerkiness and straining. Make your rod do the throwinu 

 rather than your arm, and, lastly, don't try so much for dis- 

 tance, but to get accuracy. Distance will come gradually 

 without any effort and when you find a need to cast far you 

 will do it without actually giving the distance a thought. 



In starting the back stroke, one's thumb should be 

 placed firmly on the spool of the reel you must hold it so 

 that your bait will not start until you are ready it should. 



