12 TROUT. 



with the point of the rod, by bringing it from left to right 

 over the right shoulder, and casting forward by a motion of 

 the wrist and forearm. When you have propelled the line 

 forward the action of casting should be gradually checked 

 directly the line is straightening out to the front. If held 

 properly, that portion of the butt, between your hand and 

 the spike, will touch the under part of the forearm, at the 

 same time that the line is coming in contact with the water ; 

 this will prevent the point of the rod falling too low, and 

 thus causing too much line to fall on the surface. Begin with 

 about five yards of slack line, increasing a yard or two at a time, 

 till you can manage ten with tolerable ease ; when you may 

 add the casting-line. Practise till you can ensure the gut 

 falling on the surface of the stream ere any of the reel line 

 touches it. There are various other methods of throwing the 

 fly, but when you have become thoroughly perfect in this, 

 which I consider the easiest style, then you can soon vary 

 the different movements, according as circumstances may 

 arise ; such as a variation hi the direction of the wind, or 

 obstructions on the bank, or in the river. 



Commence with one fly at the end of the gut-line, this is 

 termed the " stretcher " ; when you can work this in a satis- 

 factory manner, add a second, called a " dropper " fastened 

 about two feet up the line at one of the joinings ; and after- 

 wards another " dropper," about two feet higher again. The 

 joinings of the gut-cast being formed of two slip knots, the 

 end of the gut to which the dropper is tied, is knotted and 

 pushed through ; the slip knots being drawn tight, all is 

 secure. 



Anglers are divided hi opinion, at which end of the stream 

 you should commence. The best way, to my idea, is to fish up 

 stream ; then if you hook a heavy fish, ten to one that he 

 bolts downstream, disturbing only, water that you have 

 already fished. Keep as far from the edge of the water as 

 possible; delivering your cast, float your flies down, humouring 

 them on the surface of the stream and working them round 

 towards the bank. Repeat your cast a step higher up and so 

 on ; strike gently from the wrist, the moment you see and 

 feel a " rise," with a very quick, yet gentle motion, by which 



