THE APPARATUS 49 



In making up a tapered cast with this or any other 

 knot, it is obvious that no thickness should be 

 omitted, that is to say, for instance, 5x cannot be 

 tied directly to 3x ; the intermediate 4x must be 

 included. 



The length of cast we recommend is one approxi- 

 mately the same as the rod, a small difference in 

 either direction being immaterial. We refer now 

 to general requirements. In special circumstances, 

 for example when it is necessary to project the 

 fly into the teeth of a gale, a much shorter cast 

 is an advantage, being much more easy to manage. 

 The angler, having regard to certain parts of his 

 own particular favourite river, can devote much 



Loop on cast 



time and study to the making of casts, experiment- 

 ing with gradual and steep tapers, but he will 

 find a cast made up as follows will usually satisfy 

 all his wants. The lower half should be parallel, 

 all of one thickness, viz., the finest the trout demand 

 or his skill permits, while the other half should 

 be made up from the other strengths. 



Gut as sold nowadays is usually stained, and 

 many are the different shades required to meet 

 the demands of the fastidious angler. We prefer 



