Making a Slack-Line Cast 



We have already found that in order 

 to make a fly "light like thistle-down," 

 it is necessary to cast it not at the spot 

 where you wish it to fall, but a short 

 distance directly over the spot. In 

 making the slack-line cast, the fly, as 

 the line is lengthened, is cast in the air 

 a few feet beyond the spot where the an- 

 gler wishes it to alight as well as over 

 it. When the line is nearly straight, 

 and before the rod has reached its cor- 

 rect position at the end of the forward 

 cast, the forward sweep of the rod is 

 retarded and the motion of the imi- 

 tation insect on its onward flight is 

 checked; the tip of the rod is imme- 

 diately lowered, and instead of the line 

 falling taut it drops loosely upon the 

 water in irregular waves or curves. If 

 the result aimed at is successfully ac- 

 complished, the fly will have for a cer- 

 tain length of time a natural motion. 



[103] 



