CONCERNING THE WIND 191 



its virtues will all be thrown away, if the flies are 

 allowed to float too far, or the line becomes too slack. 

 It is rather difficult to keep in close contact with 

 the fly as it floats down, because the wind blows 

 out the line ; a short journey for the fly and a low 

 rod-point will help the angler materially. 



As the dry-fly fisher proceeds up the pool or stream, 

 casting across the current and the wind, he will 

 naturally be always endeavouring to put his fly a 

 short distance, at least, upstream, and it will be 

 surprising if he does not suddenly discover himself 

 to be possessed of a new power, viz. ability to cast 

 into the wind. It is easy to learn to overcome a 

 gentle adverse breeze, and practice first under 

 simple, and later under more difficult, conditions 

 will in time make him indifferent to the wind and its 

 direction. 



It may assist him to be told that he should lower 

 the rod on delivery parallel to the water, turn his 

 hand sharply to the right, and bring it in towards 

 his body. If he can attend to these points, and do 

 each at the required moment, he has reached pro- 

 ficiency. Great force is unnecessary, and even fatal 

 with this or any other cast ; the rod should never 

 be heard. Some anglers like to make the rod whistle 

 in the wind, but such sounds merely indicate mis- 

 placed energy. 



A gale makes fishing both unpleasant and tiresome 

 and, when it blows downstream, it is the torment 

 of the dry-fly man. As he must fish, he should 

 attempt to cast across it, and if his fly is blown 

 farther down the current than he would like he 

 need not worry ; he may by walking keep up with 

 his fly for a yard or more, before it begins to drag. 



