LONG CASTING. 267 



difficult matter to deal with on paper. Observation 

 and practical instruction are so superior as means 

 for conveying knowledge, as compared with mere 

 verbal instruction, that we recommend the novice 

 to make a combination of the two, by placing himself 

 under the guidance of an experienced salmon fisher, 

 if his circle of acquaintance embraces one. 



Long casting ranks amongst the foremost of the 

 attributes to success and proficiency ; and when some 

 twenty-five yards can be put out tolerably straight 

 the rodster may congratulate himself upon his having 

 overcome the leading difficulty in the beginner's path. 

 When a cast can be made fairly well, the knack of 

 striking, etc., follows as a natural consequence. This 

 is readily acquired from that best of tutors ex- 

 perience. We have invariably found that if the loss 

 of fish and tackle does not instil knowledge and 

 suggest improvement, other expedients will be equally 

 futile. The rules already laid down for casting in the 

 case of trout and grayling hold good for salmon 

 fishing, though with this difference, that the imple- 

 ments and tackle being of heavier calibre, a greater 

 distance is to be attained by the action and impetus 

 given to the rod and line. Precision is also of equal 

 consequence, as the rodster has to cast when the fish 

 are in a sportive humour, within the " ring " of a rise, 

 just the same as when in quest of smaller quarry. 

 This requires a considerable amount of application 

 to accomplish at a good distance ; but just as the 

 experienced cricketer handles the bat with tact and 

 skill, so must the salmon fisher wield the rod ; 



