THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 2OQ 



attached to the cast one at the point of the casting line 

 and one about three feet higher up. The salmon fly, 

 having a loop attached to it, is easily fastened by any 

 of the various knots to the casting line ; care should be 

 taken to have this latter well damped and pliable before 

 making the attachment. Many anglers keep their traces or 

 casting lines in a damp cloth for hours before proceeding 

 to use them, as gut is too brittle when in a dry state to 

 stand the wear and tear of a run with a good fighting fish. 

 The rod is usually from seventeen to eighteen feet long ; it 

 is used with both hands, one above the reel or winch, and 

 one below. The position of the hands is varied with the 

 style of casting. If the angler is using the left hand 

 casting, that is bringing the line round over the left shoulder, 

 the left hand is uppermost ; if the right hand casting is 

 used the right hand is uppermost. However, this need 

 not be made a hard and fast rule, as the angler will have 

 to shift his hands from time to time, in order that he may 

 relieve the strain on the muscles of his back and arms. In 

 casting, it should be done across, and if anything rather 

 down-stream, allowing the fly or flies to sink well, and 

 as little of the main line as possible to be dragged either 

 through the water or on the surface. The rod being almost 

 at right angles to the body, the current sweeps the flies 

 round, and at the same time the rod is raised up stream, 

 and worked with a long jigging motion, so as to impart 

 liveliness to the fly, which continues to come round 

 until it is close to the bank upon which the angler is 

 standing, with the rod point over the shoulder, when 

 the cast may again be made about one yard lower down. 

 At the finish of the draw, be careful to have sufficient 

 command over the rod to strike if a fish should make a 



N 



