Casting. 89 



certainly in all cases much less than a reel-line 

 would require. Indeed, in an adverse wind, even 

 the greatest efforts would fail to extend an ordi- 

 nary reel-line, and consequently there would he 

 loss, both of much good water and valuable time, 

 in getting into the most favourable positions for 

 its use. Moreover, with a reel-line there is greater 

 danger of " cracking off the flies " from the greater 

 force employed in urging them forward; and with 

 any line this undesirable result is just as likely 

 to follow from making the sweep too rapidly, 

 and "after a pause impelling the line" forward 

 too suddenly, as from allowing it to double be- 

 hind. The motion imparted to the loop-line is 

 continuous, but it is gentle ; the flies in this mo- 

 tion lag somewhat behind the thicker portion of 

 the cast, but there is no pause and no doubling 

 back; and the line from its greater weight and 

 better taper is gradually extended to its full length 

 as it is brought round to the front by the forward 

 motion of the rod, and this, too, without the em- 

 ployment of any "considerable force." And so I 

 rather advise, with Mr Francis, that this forward 

 motion should be eased half-way, than with Mi- 

 Stewart, that it should cease suddenly and alto- 

 gether, when the rod is at an angle of 45 from 

 the water. In the latter case, the line would 

 fall in folds, and the flies in a swarm, to the 



