LESSON IN CASTING. 319 



you must check the rod-top sooner. Secondly, you fail to grasp the idea 

 that in order to achieve my method you must turn your head to watch 

 the line behind, not only for the purpose of seeing that it is sent straight 

 back at the right height and angle, but for seizing the exact instant for 

 making the thrash-down." 



" But how shall I know that ? " 



" You will soon know, if you never fail to look and see for yourself. 

 When you observe the fly end of the line extended in the air a little 

 higher than the top of your rod you will know ; but bear in mind the 

 operations of gravitation, so, in extending it, take your aim high enough 

 at the outset." 



"I am determined to learn the right way, if I can, but I confess I 

 find it difficult to follow the line with my eyes, for I cannot turn my 

 head." 



" You will not find any difficulty if you send the line upwards in 

 the right direction. When you cannot follow the line with your eyes by 

 a slight turn of the head you may be sure you have sent it too little to 

 the right and too much to the rear, and that you have not brought up 

 your rod sufficiently straight." 



" Now let me clearly understand how to make the thrash-down 

 explain to me what you meant by the ' exact instant.' ' 



" When you have checked the rod in the upstroke, dwell until the 

 the line is nearly extended in the air ; but if you allow the fly to travel 

 further than within three or four yards of its full distance by dwelling 

 too long, the middle part of the line will be falling to the ground, when 

 you will not only fail to cast it, but very likely break the rod n trying to 

 do so." 



"Why?" 



"From the fact that the 'tug' of the line on the point of the rod 

 has died away. In setting up the tug, if you snatch at the line the rod 

 will probably break ; and this applies to the upstroke as well as the down- 

 stroke. Whatever you do, don't forget to check your rod early enough 

 in the thrash-down. It should not be allowed to reach beyond an angle 

 of 55 degrees, and then you can lay the line down rather than let' it fall 

 on the water as in Trout fishing." 



