168 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



score. Both half and quarter ounce weights are used 

 in distance casting. 



In addition to these events many clubs are taking 

 up what one might call "practical" work. At least 

 one Chicago club has a "Pork Chunk Casting Contest." 

 Regular fishing lines are used and the chunk is cast 

 over the same distances as in quarter ounce casting 

 and the scoring for accuracy is done in the usual man- 

 ner. For jumping or skipping the chunk for a dis- 

 tance exceeding one foot when starting to retrieve a 

 demerit of one is made and the same if chunk is al- 

 lowed to remain under water for a distance of more 

 than three feet after starting to retrieve as well as 

 when the chunk is permitted to sink below the surface 

 during the retrieve. The sum total of such demerits 

 on style divided by the number of casts constitutes 

 the demerit per cent. The demerit per cent from IOQ 

 per cent constitutes the combined percentage of style 

 and accuracy. 



Other events along similar lines, such as casting 

 plugs both from the platform and when seated in a 

 boat, casting spinners and flies, do a great deal in at- 

 tracting fishermen, many of them expert, who can see 

 no merit in tournament casting and speak of tourna- 

 ment casters as "park fishermen" and "tin can artists." 

 The young caster can make no mistake in joining a 

 casting club, or organizing one if there are none in 

 the vicinity, as it will help make him a better caster 

 and will bring him in contact with many expert 



