Casting. 87 



line will be brought gently round in a correspond- 

 ing sweep overhead, and derive, from this motion 

 and its own weight, sufficient momentum to urge 

 it forward to its full length. The point of the rod 

 should not be carried much behind the body, and 

 the line should not be sent out to its full length 

 behind, but brought round in a curve, following 

 the motion of the rod until fairly on the forward 

 movement, when a slightly quickened action is im- 

 parted, and the rod is brought nearly to the hori- 

 zontal. The line is thus gradually straightened 

 in its forward course until it measures its full 

 length over the stream first touching the water 

 near the middle point of the hair-line, when the 

 droppers will fall gently, and almost simultaneously, 

 with the trail-fly. When the line is fully extended 

 on the water and no fish rises, the rod begins the 

 return movement. As the stream carries the flies 

 down, the point of the rod is gradually raised so 

 as to keep the line perfectly under control in case 

 of a " rise," otherwise the angler will soon find the 

 whole cast in the most " admired disorder " at his 

 feet. When the line has been carried down two 

 or three yards towards him, this cast may be con- 

 sidered spent ; and he should then prepare for the 

 next by bringing the flies gently towards him, pre- 

 vious to raising them from the water, in the same 

 manner as before. 



