106 THE SALMON. 



leaps he is near by you, and your line straight and out 

 of water, he will try and strike it with his tail to break 

 it, in which he may also be foiled by giving to him. 

 My experience is to this effect, and you will soon find 

 out, if the fish are large and strong, how hard it is to do 

 otherwise. 



It has been said that four times the length of the rod 

 beyond the tip is the utmost length of line that can be 

 handled with dexterity ; it is not meant that more can- 

 not be cast, for I have often cast five times the length, 

 but with an effort that soon becomes wearisome, and, if 

 across a rapid current, without the requisite command. 

 It is best to fish down stream, if possible, as otherwise 

 your line sinks, and even in fishing across there will be 

 considerable slack line. This is a second reason for 

 rapid striking. There is another mode of managing a 

 line, which is sometimes called casting, and by which a 

 distance of eighty yards can be covered. The angler has 

 a rod as thick at the tip as one's little finger, and a hair 

 line as thick as the tip. Of course no reel can be used, 

 as such a line would not run through the rings, or be 

 contained on the barrel. The line tapers regularly to the 

 fly. It is usually used in rapid water, and to cast, the 

 fisherman waives his rod from side to side, lifting as 

 much of it as possible clear of the water, and then 

 throws out strongly with an underhand motion. The 

 line rolls, as it were, raising itself from the water, as the 

 impetus advances, till the fly is taken up and jerked over, 

 so to speak, at an incredible distance. When a fish is 

 struck he is drawn in by hand. I have not tried this 

 proceeding sufficiently to speak positively, but think that 



