MODERN SALMON FISHING 47 



is to banish the idea that the salmon rod is a 

 two-handed rod, and always to bear in mind 

 the fact that the right arm and the rod are 

 as one. No amount of energy applied to 

 the rod by the left hand will communicate 

 itself to the line. The left hand is employed 

 as a help in holding the rod, in fact is simply 

 a rod-rest. 



By grasping the rod firmly with the right 

 hand at the upper end of the cork handle, 

 with the thumb along the rod, the energy of 

 the right arm is communicated to the rod. 

 You cannot use the full spring of the rod 

 unless it is firmly held. This may not be 

 necessary for a short cast but for a long line 

 it is imperative. 



After lifting the line from the water for 

 the back cast a flip of the left thumb to the 

 butt at the right moment is all that is neces- 

 sary, the forward cast being made with the 

 right hand only. 



