28 FLY FISHING AND SPINNING 



there. Take the rod in your hand, keep as low as you can, 

 and try a cast. 



Don't be nervous. Imagine that you are casting your 

 fly on the lawn, and look at the water where you wish to 

 cast close by that root on the other side and take plenty 

 of time. It is not a matter of life and death, and if you do 

 make a bad cast and frighten the fish there are plenty 

 more just above. Steady ! You are forgetting your 

 lessons in the excitement of the moment ; you made your 

 forward cast too soon, before your line had straightened 

 itself behind you, and the fly has fallen but half-way to the 

 spot you wished to reach.* Try again. Dry the fly well and 

 let your pause be longer after you have switched the fly 

 back so pause. Now cast. Well done ! A good straight 

 line, and the fly has fallen lightly. Let your left hand fall 

 at once on the reel, and as the line comes back with the 

 stream, reel up for a bit. Don't let your hand leave the 

 reel ; raise your rod a little as the line comes still further 

 back. Look out ! Strike ! Steady ! You have him ; 

 Bring him out from the bank and down-stream. Dear! 

 dear! By dropping the point of your rod you slackened 

 your line and you have allowed him to get into the weeds. 

 Keep a steady strain on the rod ; luckily he is only in the 

 lower end of the weeds, and we shall perhaps get him out 

 as he is beginning to struggle ! Steady and firm. There 

 he comes ! He is free again, and exhausted. Reel in with 

 your left hand easy ; let him go a little if he makes a 

 rush, and then reel in again. Keep at him. Keep the 

 point of your rod higher. That's better. The net is all 

 ready ; bring him in slowly and quietly toward it. 



There, I have him for you, and have given him the coup 

 de grace. Quite a beauty. Well done ! Your first fish and 

 eleven ounces if he is a penny- weight. The barb is in 

 * See instructions, page 155. 



