298 THl COMPLETE ANGLER. PART. II. 



handle his rod, and to cast it, is no manner of incum- 

 brance, excepting in woody places and in landing of a 

 fish, which every one that can afford to angle for pleasure 

 has somebody to do for him. And the length of line is 

 a mighty advantage to the fishing at distance ; and to 

 fish fine and far-off, is the first and principal rule for 

 Trout-angling. 1 



Your line in this case should never be less, nor ever 

 exceed, two hairs next to the hook; for one (though some, 

 I know, will pretend to more art than their fellows,) is 

 indeed too few, the least accident, with the finest hand, 

 being sufficient to break it: but he that cannot kill a 

 Trout of twenty inches long with two, in a river clear of 

 wood and weeds, as this and some others of ours are, 

 deserves not the name of an Angler. 3 



Now, to have your whole line as it ought to be, two of 

 the first lengths nearest the hook should be of two hairs 

 a-piece ; the next three lengths above them of three ; the 

 next three above them of four; and, so, of five, and six, 

 and seven, to the very top: by which means, your rod and 

 tackle will, in a manner, be taper from your very hand to 

 your hook ; your line will fall much better and straighter, 

 and cast your fly to any certain place to which the hand 

 and eye shall direct it, with less weight and violence, that 

 would otherwise circle the water, and fright away the fish. 



In casting your line, do it always before you, 3 and so 



(I) An artist ay easily throw twelve yar.ls of line, with one hand ; aud with 

 two. be maj as easily throw eighteen. 



(?) See the direction for jour rod and line, in the notes on Cbap. XXI. 

 Parti. 



(.1) Till yon are a proficient, every throw will go near to cost you a hook : 

 therefore practise for some time without one. Hawkint. 



Management of the lint, when Fihing either with oue fly, or two or more 

 Jtiet. Wurn you have fixed your rod properly with your winch thereon, [see 

 p. 114. n. describing Winch and Ring*,] and brought your line from it through 

 the rings of your rod, loop on to it, by the strongest end, your foot-length ; 

 which should be about three yard* and a half long; made of good, strong, siuglr 

 silk-worm gut, well tied, and the knots neatly whipped, running a (very little) 

 iner towards the bottom. eud, at which place there must be, a neatly-whipped 



