Postponing the Drag 



the shortest distance between the two 

 points and A; and the line of the 

 angler is represented as taut, without 

 any slack and without a curve. The 

 current will therefore seize it as soon 

 as it reaches the water, and the begin- 

 ning of the drag theoretically will be 

 immediate. Let us not, then, cast an 

 absolutely taut line, but endeavor to 

 throw the line so that the drag will be 

 postponed, if such a thing is possible. 

 It is obvious that if the line were not 

 so straight when it fell, the drag might 

 not make itself evident until the cur- 

 rent had straightened it out somewhat. 

 So we will endeavor to make a slack- 

 line cast, and instead of having it fall 

 in a perfectly straight line, A, will 

 try to have it take a position on the 

 water somewhat as represented by the 

 irregularly curved line F A. It will 

 be noticed that the curve, or "belly," 



[101] 



