TO CAST FLOATING FLY 61 



when the line, having passed to the rear, be- 

 gins to pull back on the rod-tip, and carry the 

 rod forward and down with increasing speed, 

 stopping it when it is a little beyond parallel 

 with the water. Before beginning another 

 back cast be careful to reel or strip in any slack 

 line. The beginner should concentrate on cast- 

 ing accurately and delicately; ability to cover 

 average fishing distances is soon gained with- 

 out much conscious effort to that end. As for 

 accuracy, the dry fly man cannot possibly over- 

 rate its importance or more profitably seek to 

 perfect himself in any other branch of the 

 sport. Particularly when casting to a rising 

 fish, other things being equal, everything de- 

 pends upon accuracy. 



At this point it seems best to note the matter 

 of the use of the left hand in fly-casting for 

 the purpose of controlling the rendition and 

 retrieve of the line while casting, playing a 

 trout, or floating a dry fly. In brief, the caster 

 should control the line, practically at all times, 

 by holding it in his left hand, as it comes from 

 the reel, stripping in the line through the guides 

 of the rod when it should be shortened, or 

 allowing it to run out through the fingers when 

 a longer line is needed in casting or when giv- 

 ing line to a hooked fish. 



It should be understood that the left hand, 



