CHAPTER IX 



TACTICS 



THE dry-fly fisher quite early in his career 

 will learn that success depends not only 

 on the delicacy with which the fly is de- 

 livered, but also on the direction of the cast. When 

 a trout, rising to the natural fly, happens to be 

 within his casting distance, he may cast to it 

 from the post he at the moment occupies, or he may 

 change his point of attack, not necessarily in order 

 to approach nearer to the trout, but rather for the 

 purpose of putting himself into a more advantageous 

 position relatively to the fish and the current. 



He should review the situation, make his decision 

 as soon as he can after a little practice and ex- 

 perience his movements will be made almost un- 

 consciously or, rather, will appear automatic and 

 the result will be reflected in his success. In 

 fishing, every cast should receive all the thought 

 it requires. The spectator who watches an expert 

 industrious and keen during a good rise may con- 

 clude that fishing is an easy business requiring 

 no thought, but only a certain manual dexterity ; 

 but that is simply because he fails to observe the 

 little changes in position, action and delivery 

 which distinguish the complete angler from the 

 ordinary performer. 



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