206 A SCOTTISH FLY-FISHER 



We are advised that, just as the line is about to 

 complete its forward swing, a check should be given to 

 its farther progress. If allowed to swing out to its full 

 extent it falls on the water with alarming splash. That 

 the unfortunate contingency may be averted, the angler 

 is instructed to grasp his rod more firmly, or draw it 

 slightly towards him, or, with his free hand, pull in a 

 short length of line. The most skilful handler of the 

 rod I have ever known did none of these things ; on 

 the contrary, he, when his rod had reached the lowest 

 point of its descent, gave it a curious little forward 

 thrust, as if with the object of preventing his line from 

 being abruptly checked as the cast approached com- 

 pletion. In my ignorance of mechanics, I am loth to 

 express an opinion on the subject, but it seems to me 

 that if the angler desired to bring about the very 

 accident he fears, he could not do better than follow 

 the advice I have quoted for his information. 



Our teachers still entertain the "exploded idee" 

 that the angler will fail to accomplish a successful cast 

 if he begins the forward movement of his rod before the 

 line is streaming to its full extent behind him. The 

 mistake is so easily corrected that, even with the 

 knowledge of the vitality of error, one wonders at its 

 obstinate persistence. 



