394 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



out a splash. Thus we see that the backward movement 

 is in one time and one motion, and the forward movement 

 in one time and two motions, as the military have it, or 

 according to the following formula of time : 



1. J= 2. (a) j(6) J 



No. 1 represents the backward throw, in one motion, in 

 the time of a half note. No. 2 represents the forward 

 cast, in one time and two motions, a and 6, in the time 

 of two quarter notes. This is not to be understood as 

 fishing by note, but the relative time of making the dif- 

 ferent motions in casting the fly approaches very nearly 

 that of the formula given. This is better explained by a 

 reference to the foregoing cuts; where figure 1 repre- 

 sents the backward throw, and figure 2 represents the 

 first part or motion (), and figure 3 the second part or mo- 

 tion (b), of the forward cast. 



Sometimes these movements are made straight back- 

 ward and forward over either shoulder, or over the head; 

 but the best way is to make the backward movement over 

 the left shoulder, and the forward over the right shoulder, 

 the line thus describing an oval or parabola. By this 

 method the flies are not so apt to be whipped off, and it is, 

 withal, more graceful, more en regie. 



The following diagram represents the arcs described by 

 the tip of the rod and the flies : 



. 



