334 THE SALMON FLY. 



THE SPEY CAST. 



It is remarkable how great is the difference between ideal impressions 

 and the truth established by practical experience. I am reminded of this 

 by reference to a communication which I received from a Scottish 

 gentleman of great authority who says that " An ounce of demonstration 

 is worth a pound of theory." . . "But the glory and reputation of the 

 ' Spey,' " he continues, " is positively demolished by Mr. - , who flings 

 at the unwary, not one apple of discord, but a whole orchard full. 

 Fancy an author of an Angling book estimating our method as the best to 

 adopt in boisterous weather ! Not for the sake cf twenty books or for the 

 fame of twenty authors must such a false impression of this beautiful cast 

 be allowed to remain an enduring reality, seeing that practical Anglers 

 are still to the fore who can and will refute his delusive assertions." No 

 doubt there are many who could do so ; at all events the rising generation 

 of Anglers may safely understand that the time mentioned in the book 

 alluded to for the adoption of the " Spey," is precisely the very time when 

 Spey men desist from its use. 



Although the intricacies of this cast, as commonly made, may be set 

 down on paper with considerable probability that the explanation will be 

 sufficient for bright intelligences, it is scarcely to be hoped that verbal 

 instructions will have much fruit without considerable practice at the 

 riverside. But in explaining any of these casts, I feel greatly assisted by 

 illustration obtained by processes not disclosed to writers up to this 

 time. 



The " Spey " admits of many variations and, without exception, 

 produces signal results. It is, therefore, just one of all other casts to 

 master and apply in 'places for which the system is adapted, as, for 

 example, where the line cannot be fully extended behind the Angler. But 

 although more or less complicated, the cast does not seem at all bewilder- 

 ing, even in verbal description. 



To better follow me throughout the details, which I may say are 

 authenticated, it is necessary to agree very carefully as to some precise 

 situation in which I am supposed to be fishing. The reader may take it 

 that I am at work on the bank of a river which flows from north to 

 south, and casting right-handed. 



