438 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



caster can approximately face the water to be fished. 

 This so rests the muscles employed that one can cast 

 for half a day thus with less fatigue than for half an 

 hour with a single-handed rod. But if the water to be 

 fished lies to one side, then the hand on the opposite 

 side should be uppermost that is, if the cast is to the 

 right, the left should be the upper hand, and vice versa. 

 I might mention one other point which, though at 

 times of practical value, has pleasure for its main ob- 

 ject. It is always a comfort to know just how far one 

 is casting ; while sometimes, when a change of fly has 

 been made, and it is desired to again reach a definite 

 spot without moving, it is a positive advantage to know 

 when the same length of line is out. This may be 

 readily accomplished by marking the line, one mark at 

 thirty, two at forty, three at fifty, and a longer mark 

 at sixty feet from the end, which will usually be quite 

 sufficient for actual fishing. A little white paint, to 

 be varnished when thoroughly dry, will answer the 

 purpose. 



The time was, and that at no distant day, when he 

 who for a moment deserted the tread-mill of life for any 

 purpose disconnected with money-getting, braved the 

 disapproval of his friends. Everything which human 

 ingenuity could devise and the most liberal expenditure 

 could accomplish, had been done for the moral and in- 

 tellectual welfare of the nation, but for its physical well- 

 being, worse than nothing. 



That day is past. Wisdom is the child of experience; 

 and, as one after another of the most promising in the 

 race of life dropped from the contest, solely from lack 

 of physical stamina to make use of the ability which 



