THE SALMON FLY. 



and it must develop its wave of casting-force less from the rod-top than 

 from the butt. The two actions are totally different, therefore the rods 

 and the lines most suitable are different. 



In laying down this doctrine I refer for support of it to the records 

 existing in the public prints of recent casting tournaments, a testimony 

 open to all and of irrefragable character. In the " Overhand " method of 

 casting, in which mode alone the " trouty-rod " is of any use at all, the 

 slight top and the stiff butt have caused it to be hopelessly left behind. 

 And apart from these competitions, this style of rod has been conclusively 

 proved to be wrong in every-day angling experience. 



As to the " Overhand " cast, beloved by all, and well suited as it is 

 for places with plenty of room in the rear of the Angler, it is supposed by 

 many to be the easiest cast of all with plenty of wood in the butt. This 

 is also a misconception which may be often traced to the misleading influence 

 of the earlier acquired habits of Trout fishing. It is not that the Fisherman 

 is unable to make the cast, but is unable to make it perfectly ; and, as I 

 have said, this rod is almost, if not quite, useless in other modes of casting 

 and especially so on all occasions when length of line is required in windy 

 weather. 



As an instance here 1 will quote words which I wrote some years 

 ago : " Too much importance is usually attributed to the Overhand 

 cast and consequently some of the most favourable pools are passed by 

 because the Angler is inexperienced with other casts. Take for example, 

 a pool where you wade, with three ' catches ' in it. No. 1 would be an 

 easy station but for a high tree immediately behind you. Here the 

 ' Switch ' would be necessary. No. 2, some yards further on with a 

 large bough overhanging the water low down, and no stream to carry the 

 fly beneath it owing to an eddy beyond the bough, would demand the use 

 of the Flip Cast : and No. 3, which you reach after turning a sharp 

 corner, has the wind in your face, and this brings the Wind Cast into 

 operation. In these situations, the old fashioned, stiff-butted rod with a 

 fine top, noted for throwing a light line from the point, would be as useless 

 as it would be for holding a fish from rocks, dead trees, weirs and similar 

 dangers. . . . Where Salmon can be captured without the display of 

 skill or much perseverance, and without having to resort to the ' Spey,' 



