42 FLOATING FLIES 



perhaps be best suited. Unless, however, the 

 line is thoroughly adapted in weight to the rod 

 upon which it is used, satisfactory casting will 

 be quite impossible. 



In the matter of suiting the line to the rod, 

 remember that a line which is too light will 

 fail to bring out the action of the rod and can- 

 not successfully be employed. On the other 

 hand, if the line is too heavy, the overburdened 

 rod cannot lift it quickly and neatly from the 

 water; if the angler wishes to make a some- 

 what longer cast than usual he may smash his 

 rod in the endeavor to perform the impossible. 

 The casting power of a rod is not determined 

 purely by its weight or length; wherefore, if 

 the opportunity offers, it is well to fit the line 

 to the rod by practical experiment. 



That a tapered line is most efficient and 

 satisfactory for dry-fly casting is generally con- 

 ceded. By the employment of a line of this 

 character, the line being gradually fined down 

 toward the ends, the caster has all the ad- 

 vantage of a heavy line in casting, while at the 

 same time the line may be cast delicately and 

 lightly. Also a tapered line, exactly suited to 

 the rod upon which it is used, may be cast 

 farther and more accurately than a level line. 

 The majority of American fly-casters undoubt- 



