THE " PETER " AND " SWITCH." 365 



beating ; that is to say, as far as the matter of distance is concerned, the 

 former would cut out the latter in competition by at least twenty-four 

 feet without being extended. 



The great advantage which this old-fashioned cast has over the 

 " Spey " and all others is particularly its own, and counterbalances all its 

 failings in those places where the " Switch " only is suitable when trees, 

 shrubs, or other immediate obstructions handicap the different, and more 

 water-covering modes of propelling a fly. 



The "Peter" is an intermediate and auxiliary movement of the rod 

 in aid of the final effort to get out the line. 



To properly explain the method of the " Peter" and " Switch " com- 

 bined, the student should understand that the former is a dodge or scheme 

 resorted to only in connection with the latter, with which alone it is 

 associated. The Peter was simply born for the cast and united to it long 

 ago. It is, moreover, a commanding feature of the cast, which, in its 

 absence, is at times absolutely unpracticable. 



The " Peter " has developed the " Switch " to such a degree that the 

 cast may be fairly ranked among the favourite formulas of the day. And 

 although the performance is said to be somewhat difficult to master, the 

 merest tyro will, if he persevere, soon be gratified by the progress made 

 and quite convinced of the value of it. 



How then is the cast to be made by the Angler (fishing right-handed) 

 whose line is extended down-stream ? 



The brief instructions for making the Switch, with the Peter in one 

 continuous action, are : 



(1) " Elevate the rod steadily but with a rather increasing movement : 

 (2) now twitch the point of the rod forward (Fig. 1) by a smart, short 

 action of the upper wrist, from right, overhead, to left, to form a narrow 

 oval : and (3) finish with the thrash-down." 



By No. 1, the line will be drawn to the surface and belly towards you. 

 No. 2 (the " Peter ") causes the line to bow. in an opposite direction. (See 

 dotted line Plate 1.) The "narrow oval " is completed by a bold sweep 

 of the rod taken round to the right. (3) Is effected vigorously and 

 additional impetus is given to the line by forcing the arms forward during 

 the thrash-down to their full extent. On reaching an angle of 45 degrees 



