54 The Right and Left-round Cast or Throw. 



at the time of fishing, allowance must be made for the 

 effect it will have in causing the line to deviate ; in such 

 a case his own discretion must guide him. There are 

 two general methods of throwing or casting in ordinary 

 Fly-fishing the Eight-round, and the Left-round casting 

 or throwing. Supposing, then, that you have your line 

 put on, of the length above described, let out a little 

 more reel-line, so that your casting-line, stinting, and 

 what you let out of your reel-line, are together half as 

 long again as your rod. 



Take hold of your rod, letting the butt end reach nearly 

 to your elbow, with the reel-line between your fore-finger 

 and rod, ready for a run if you hook a large fish, and 

 make the Eight-round cast in the following way : Raise 

 the hand and fore-arm slightly, causing the point of the 

 rod to pass outwardly or on the right-hand side, bring the 

 top part of the butt of the rod over your right shoulder 

 *and towards your right ear, and so forward, and round 

 the same way again, once or twice. By this movement 

 you will get the line on the sweep, which should be in an 

 oval or egg-shaped form, the longer diameter of the loop 

 thus formed being from front to back, and the smaller 

 point of the oval the object you are fishing over or throw- 

 ing at, and this in an oblique position. When it is com- 

 ing the third time round, past your ear, force the point 

 of the rod smartly forward by the action of the thumb, 

 wrist, and arm, but chiefly the thumb and wrist ; aiming, 

 as it were, your end-fly at the place you wish it to light 

 upon. Be careful at the same time not to let the point 

 of your rod touch the water. To prevent this, after you 

 have made the forward movement, gently raise the end 

 of your rod a little, and let the line fall where it is 

 directed. If you are using a very long line your arm 

 will have to be brought into more play, to assist the 

 stronger action required of the thumb and wrist in 



