168 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



forward impulse is weakened by the frictional 

 resistance of the air through which it has to travel. 

 See Diagram 15. 



The jerky impulse communicated to the line causes it to 

 overtake the rod point before the forward and down- 

 ward cast is finished, and thus releases the bend on 

 the rod, which therefore vibrates and imparts a 

 prejudicial undulation to the line as it extends 

 itself. (See Plate XX.). 



It fails to extend the line. 



It makes it difficult to cast against the wind. 



In the backward cast the line is jerked off the water, and 

 not only are the fish scared, but the cane rod is 

 strained and the wooden one snapped. 



The rod vibrates at the end of the forward cast, 

 and very possibly strikes the water, or the lawn, 

 etc. 



I have purposely avoided confusing the student's mind in 

 the instructions contained in this chapter by bringing 

 in the arguments and the reasons which lie behind the 

 mental and physical efforts he has to make in acquiring a 

 correct habit of projecting his fly backward and forward in 

 the overhead cast, and while I think it quite possible that 

 many of my readers might be able to acquire the overhead 

 and other casts by carefully studying my directions, I 

 feel assured that the greater number of them will appreciate 

 a deeper insight into the laws which govern the correct 

 method of casting. 



I have yet to convince many fishermen that the methods 

 I have originated must eventually supersede certain former 

 ideas as to the most correct method of casting a fly, and I 

 should consider myself unworthy of the great kindness 

 shown and expressed by my clients if I did not make this 



