348 THE SALMON FLY. 



as being not precisely sportsmanlike. I referred to this matter before, 

 but sometimes it is not possible to get out the line by any other method. 



If a swirl or undercurrent should happen to bury the line so as to 

 suggest undue force when first lifting the rod, an inner false cast or two 

 must be given, and as soon as the line by that means has been fully 

 extended, the cast is made before the mischief again sets in. 



The centre course of rod and line simply shows the effect produced on 

 them in rapids where the current holds the line and sets up an increased 

 action of the rod. If the cast is commenced too hurriedly, or, in other 

 words, if too much force is used to start with, the fly-end is sent too far 

 up-stream, in which case the tug of the line is often lo~st, and this means 

 defeat. The Angler would be more likely to be spared this dispiriting 

 occurrence if he rather under-rates than over-rates the force needed. 

 The action of the rod should do all that is wanted without using force. 



The rod and line with the mark X in No. 2, show the usual position 

 of the tackle at the beginning of the thrash-down. But sometimes the 

 fly has to strike the water further up-stream than the spot thus marked ; 

 still, in either case, the practised hand can instantly tell whether or no 

 the fly has taken a right and proper course. 



In describing the down-cast or thrash-down, any increased power 

 needed is dictated to the Angler by the length of line about to be used. 

 He will, if necessary, gradually augment the pressure at the butt of the 

 rod, mostly with the upper hand. The force generated in and emanating 

 from the centre at the butt where the strength is applied, serves either to 

 drive the line along the water or propel it in the air, and exhausts itself 

 while the fly is alighting at its ultimate destination (see 'Illustration, 

 No. 3). Thus may we discover some few points of similarity between the 

 Highland style and the ordinary " Overhand." 



Strictly speaking, no method of casting takes so long to acquire in 

 the general way as this one ; but things laboriously learnt at first soon 

 come to be done without the feeling of effort. It is true that once in my 

 experience I have seen the cast learnt in thirty-five minutes ; half an 

 hour of which was occupied in listening to verbal instructions and in 

 putting questions and pondering over answers. The fact is, a man must 

 think for himself. He must put two and two together, and with our 



