THE WIND CAST. 353 



the cast has to be made ; and that too, in the midst of latent dangers and 

 probable interruptions. We know full well how the rod smarts under 

 the loss of the tug. We feel the tug's restraining influence ; we feel that 

 it creates, that it constitutes an instrumental, nay, an essential element 

 and we thoroughly understand that, even with the utmost practice and 

 attention, the chance of sustaining that needful counter influence, is wrapt 

 up in doubt and uncertainty. That's just it just the very detail too, in 

 which our memory must not fail us. 



For the intensity of the wind the expert cares nothing, so long as it 

 does not play tricks by fits and starts ; when it does this, thoroughly 

 reliable work is impossible. 



But now let us consider how to excel in an undertaking frequently 

 deemed impossible, even when the wind is not specially unrestful. In 

 spite of all drawbacks, we find six points for success against half a dozen 

 for failure. The chances therefore are equal, and this is somewhat 

 encouraging. 



The next encouraging fact is, that although the wind blows so strongly 

 as to try one's strength to stand steadily, a fish lying from five and twenty 

 to thirty yards away may be covered. Nay, more, the fly can be 

 presented so straight and well, as to yet further astound the uninitiated. 

 Hence the superlative value of this cast. 



To clear the way to a methodical illustration of the principle of it, let 

 us touch on one or two specific conditions, which must be neither over- 

 looked nor under-estimated. 



First, the direction of the wind. It is only when the wind comes 

 pretty much from the destined direction of the fly that the cast can be 

 made in any degree of perfection. Secondly, it is impossible to excel in 

 the undertaking with a light line, or a rod with a stiff butt. A heavy line 

 is indispensable ; not only for making the rod " bend double " in raising 

 it into position, but also for cutting through the wind in obedience to the 

 thrash-down. This point cannot be too strongly emphasised. 



In this particular method our object, to begin with, is to lift the line 

 no further than overhead, in such a manner that it represents to a man 

 located on the opposite bank, a regular letter S in the air. To baffle an 

 opposing wind of considerable force and speed, requires the employment 



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