396 BOOK OF THE BLACK BASS. 



opinion, tend more to confuse than to enlighten the be-v 

 ginner. 



Then there is the sidewise cast, where the line is not 

 thrown behind the angler at all, but to one side or the 

 other. This style of casting is practiced with a short 

 line, on very narrow waters, or where the banks of the 

 stream are thickly clothed with tall grass or bushes, and 

 where there is not sufficient clear space for throwing the 

 line behind the angler. 



In this mode of casting, the angler, instead of facing 

 the stream, turns one side or the other toward the water, 

 and casts by throwing the line landward, over the grass or 

 bushes, to the right or left, as the case may be ; and, when 

 the line has unfolded in a straight line, to cast toward the 

 water by an opposite sidewise cast. In all other respects, 

 the management of the cast must approach, as nearly as 

 possible, the regular overhead cast. 



Another method of casting that occasionally comes into 

 play is " switching." This mode is very useful where 

 high banks, trees or bushes render the overhead and side- 

 wise cast impracticable; though it admits of but a very 

 short line being used, shorter than in the sidewise cast. 



Switching is performed by raising the arm and rod to 

 their fullest extent, vertically, thus drawing the flies close 

 to, and in front of, the angler; then, by a quick, smart, 

 circling motion of the rod, the flies are projected forward, 

 or laterally, as the angler may wish. The forward motion 

 is much like striking with a whip or switch, and is more 

 easily imagined than described. 



We will now presume that the tyro has perfected him- 

 self in casting a short line, and can throw his tail-fly into 

 his hat nearly every time at a distance of fifteen feet ; and 



