372 THE SALMON FLY. 



To extend and propel the line in the air as they do by moving the rod in 

 a horizontal position from first to last is less tiring than the Overhand, 

 which, with this Irish rod, is more difficult and less effectual. I have not 

 deemed it necessary to illustrate and describe the Side Cast, but I wish to 

 record the fact that by employing it a very long line can be controlled 

 even with our own style of rod. Also that the cast is by no means to be 

 despised under boughs and such places where space will admit of it. 



The " Flip " has two variations which assume the names of the 

 overhand and underhand flip respectively. The overhand flip requires a 

 certain amount of room overhead in front of the Angler, and often comes 

 into use where willows weep over the water with sufficient height between 

 the water and the branch from which the weepers hang, and sufficient 

 room between the weepers themselves. The underhand flip is adopted 

 when the space just mentioned is limited. Although some men fish for 

 years and think nothing of either of these variations, yet they will in 

 many instances be found his only salvation. Indeed, by no other method 

 than the Flip can certain catches be commanded. 



The Flip Cast is generally said to be the easiest of all to master. I 

 have heard it extolled to the skies and condemned to the lower regions in 

 language strong, if original. I have also heard it said that the easiest 

 methods of Salmon-fishing, like the happiest women, have no history ; at 

 all events, to the Flip I owe some of my greatest summer successes. 

 Surely it is just as necessary to master one system as another, else we are 

 comparatively helpless when some unusual condition for action arises. 

 Shakespeare tells us that there is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken 

 at the flood, leads on to fortune. We must, however, " take the current 

 when it serves, or lose our ventures" ; and an Angler will look very foolish 

 if, by neglecting to learn the Flip, he has to pass by a shaded spot holding 

 plenty of fish which cannot be covered by any other means. The usual 

 place for flipping is under trees whose lower branches have been levelled 

 off and cleared away by flood water. The rushing torrent, together with 

 the debris it carries, so levels overhanging branches and twigs as to 

 make them appear like the under parts of trees which, in parks, have been 

 reduced to an equal condition by cattle. 



Though easy to learn, the Flip is not so easily described. Affairs in 



