Casting the Fly. 343 



1st. Invariably use as short a line as circumstances will 

 permit. 



2d. If it has not been done in the cast itself, at once 

 elevate the tip of the rod until it forms an angle with the 

 line, and let that angle be as near a right angle as the 

 length of line in use and the reserved movement of the 

 rod required to manipulate and retrieve the flies will 

 permit. 



3d. By no means draw the flies so far towards you as 

 seriously to impair, much less altogether to lose, the 

 power to strike. In either case you will almost certainly 

 lose your fish, and in the latter your rod will probably 

 be shattered. 



The fault, or I should say faults, for there are two in 

 number, notice of the prevalence of which impelled me 

 to add to this chapter, are, 



1st. A tendency to use an altogether unnecessary length 

 of line ; or, in other words, to shirk good water within 

 distances in which the advantage would be with the 

 angler, to fish more distant and less promising places at 

 a disadvantage. 



2d. Postponing the back cast until the power to strike 

 is nearly or quite lost. 



I repeat, that he who has acquired the knack of casting 

 with facility, without other and further knowledge of the 

 art, is almost sure to err in these respects. I cannot too 

 strenuously urge this upon the attention of the beginner. 

 If the fish are very shy, the pool promising, and to be fished 

 from the bank, cut a bush your own height; approach 

 the pool slowly, holding it between you and where you 

 suppose the trout to lie, and when you have reached your 

 station rest the butt end on the ground, supporting your 

 blind with the left hand. When a fish is fastened get 



