14 CASTING AS A BEGINNER. 



is taken ? How disguise is then thrown to the 

 winds as with line running off the reel one is 

 free at length to stand up and play the man 

 instead of the snake, as well as perhaps play 

 the fish right into the landing net? 



One of the most effective casts to use, 

 especially for a trout rising under one's own 

 bank, is where the rod is held almost parallel 

 to the water and the fly is thrown as it were 

 slightly upward instead of downward and is 

 consequently able to pitch so softly that the 

 odds are much in favour of its being mistaken 

 for a real insect. In water but little fished I 

 have had no experience a trout even if he 

 pays no attention to the fly may at any rate not 

 be seriously alarmed, and he may possibly be 

 tempted with another pattern ; but very different 

 is his behaviour on club or open waters. Far 

 too often the very sight of an artificial fly 

 makes him shun all further thought of dessert. 

 He slips away and sulks in a secluded drawing 

 room half a fathom down among the weeds. 

 In such a case it becomes obvious folly to 

 continue casting at the spot. Nothing but a 

 long rest is likely to cure him. Note the spot 

 for another hour or another day and move 

 along. 



On certain warm evenings trout appear to 

 be possessed of almost unnatural cunning, 

 rendering it doubtful whether it is any use 

 continuing to cast for them. I would like to 

 describe two evenings spent by a large but 

 still weir pool on the 2Qth and 3Oth of June. 



