TO CAST FLOATING FLY 59 



In the case of the beginner at fly-casting, the 

 first practice casting may best be done casting 

 downstream as the current will help to 

 straighten out the line and leader. Two dis- 

 tinct motions constitute the complete overhead 

 cast; first the back cast which throws the line 

 behind the caster, then the forward cast which 

 returns it in the desired direction. Fifteen or 

 twenty feet is enough line to use for the first 

 practice casting. The right hand should grip 

 the rod firmly with the thumb extended along 

 the upper surface of the handgrasp this is 

 the only proper grip of the rod and is a dis- 

 tinct factor for accuracy in placing the fly and 

 also tends to make the caster use his wrist. 



Good casting results only from utilizing the 

 elasticity of the rod; the casting power of the 

 rod is brought into play in one way only by 

 using the wrist in casting. Keep the elbow 

 low. 



In the back cast swing the rod smartly up 

 to a position but slightly beyond the vertical 

 and inclined a little toward the right so that the 

 line when passing to the rear, or returning, 

 will hot tend to strike the rod. In the back 

 cast throw the line up in order that there may 

 be no possibility of its falling upon the water 

 behind you a high back cast is very essential. 



