THE ART OF CASTING 



the long rod is by means of a side cast following 

 a preliminary back swing. During the back- 

 cast, of whatever character, no attempt is made 

 to keep the heavier baits in the air; they are 

 allowed to rest on the water a moment before 

 being impelled forward, and some slack line 

 having been held in the left hand or laid in coils 

 in the boat, this is taken up through the guides 



Wet and dry flies on the water 



as the bait shoots forward. There are various 

 local modifications of this general technic. An 

 enameled or some other form of waterproof line 

 preferably is used, and it must be flexible and 

 not kinky. In this style of casting it is of 

 even more importance than in fly-casting, that 

 the slack line shall not be inclined to spring 

 into small coils, as enamel-dressed lines are 

 likely to do when they have been left on the 

 fishing reel for a considerable time prior to use. 

 We repeat that a good rubbing-down with 

 mutton-tallow or linseed oil before putting such 

 lines away in large loose coils, and previous to 

 renewed use, will promote flexibility. The long 

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