DOUBLE-HAND CASTING. 279 



otherwise (a hazel sapling answers well for the purpose). 

 The net should be four if not five feet in depth, with 

 an inch and a half mesh. A landing net of this 

 description is more useful than can easily be 

 conceived. In both loch and river fishing, a large 

 tanned canvas bag, nicely partitioned and lined with 

 indiarubber, will be found convenient when stocked 

 as a "possibility bag" for general purposes, and now, 

 supposing the young student to be equipped with 

 these requisites, we transfer ourselves to the ground, 

 or rather the water, for operations. 



Here, not at the brim, but out upon its bosom to 

 avoid troublesome objects of obstruction, seated in 

 any posture most convenient on the cross-boards of 

 the boat, line is unreeled, and, as a novice, you make 

 your first essay at double-handed casting. The 

 rod and line at first scarce would seem to act in 

 concert, so varied are the twists of the former, and 

 the curls and capers of the latter. A small amount 

 of handling will enable the adept angler for smaller 

 fry to feel his way to the accomplishment of a 

 respectable out-put of line, and even the genuine 

 tyro, a perfect stranger to the rod, will encounter but 

 comparatively few difficulties in his path. A strict 

 determined application to the course of the essential 

 three P's, viz., Practice, Patience, and Perseverance, 

 will thoroughly indicate the first principles of the 

 art, and, if aided and supplemented by an intelligent 

 application to the several studies which, while outside 

 the immediate operation of fishing, are yet so 

 connected as to be the very heart and soul of it, the 



