346 THE SALMON FLY. 



There are many debatable points, but perhaps the reader has formed 

 a fair estimate of the system already ; still the subject has not been yet 

 by any means exhausted. 



At this stage I should like to call for special attention. 



We have said that the Spey cast is not a method of fishing to be 

 adopted with a Spey rod in boisterous weather ; we have had the nature 

 of the cast revealed, and have read a series of comments relating to 

 certain observances in the system ; but we have yet to follow it from the 

 Illustrations. 



In proceeding in that direction it will be my endeavour to analyse the 

 cast by a separate process, in the hope that the understanding may be 

 enabled distinctly to follow up the method through its different stages. 



Looking now at these Illustrations, the point of the rod in No. 1 

 first describes an outline of a contorted and reversed letter S. 



I say " contorted," and I am well advised, as the shape is not that of 

 a reversed letter S on a flat surface ; for the upper part soon twists out- 

 wards, while the lower and very much longer curve turns inwards. 



At the very beginning of the cast, I would repeat that the rod is 

 raised. This makes the line belly downwards, as shown, and brings the 

 " tug " into existence. Without pause the rod still ascends, and then 

 slightly descends outwards, circles round, as it comes inwardly towards 

 the Angler's right rear, and pursues its course for the thrash-down to 

 a point where, if the line is to be propelled above the water, as in 

 No. 3 Illustration* a better plan than allowing it to run its course 

 along the surface of the water in the customary way the rod is to be 

 checked as set forth in the details of the " Overhand." 



The explanation here is simple and will not detain us long. 



Casting the line above the water is a justifiable measure where fish 

 are shy ; for the very splash of the line disturbs them to such an extent 

 that I have seen it result in driving both Salmon and Grilse from pools 

 altogether. 



For this reason the departure from the old custom, at times and. in 



* This improvement in the system is not one to be recommended to the novice. Let him 

 become familiar with the ordinary way of propelling the line and he will have far less trouble 

 in learning the cast and mastering its various features. 



