9O Artificial-Fly Fishing. 



terror of all the fish in the neighbourhood. The 

 forward motion given to the rod is altogether a 

 little swifter than the backward one, simply be- 

 cause the line is to be extended in front and not 

 behind ; but if the force employed in urging it 

 forward be too great, the result, though different, 

 will be just as disastrous as if a less force be sud- 

 denly arrested half-way. It will be an assistance 

 to the angler in determining the amount of force 

 necessary for the cast, if he direct his aim to an 

 imaginary point two feet or so above the surface 

 of the stream. The line will then reach the water 

 without disturbing it, and the flies will alight 

 gently and naturally thereon. 



The precise angle always a small one which 

 the rod makes with the water when the flies alight, 

 will depend on the amount of wind-pressure which 

 has to be overcome ; the stronger the wind the 

 lower do we hold the point of the rod, and conse- 

 quently the greater length and weight of line will 

 reach the water to bring down the flies upon the 

 surface and keep them there. Mr Stewart's object 

 in " never allowing the rod to make a lower angle 

 with the water than from 40 to 45," is, he says, 

 to secure "that the flies shall alight first upon 

 the water, and as little of the line with them 

 as possible." But it will never secure that they 

 alight at the proper place, or, in wind, that they 



