SWITCHING 421 



from the river, viz., if the river is flowing from left to 

 right, the motion would be towards the left shoulder, 

 if from right to left, towards the right. In repeating 

 the cast, the draw-back must be made before the fly 

 has swunof round to the bank on the side the caster is 

 standing, so as to ensure there being sufficient strength 

 of stream to keep the line perfectly tight. The success 

 of this cast is very nearly entirely dependent upon the 

 observation of this rule, for unless the line is taut, not 

 only is it impossible to make the cast neatly, but it is 

 quite possible to smash the very strongest salmon-rod 

 in the performance. 



The advantages of the above cast are many and 

 obvious : chiefly, that the line never going behind the 

 rod, it is most useful in enabling the fisherman to try 

 his skill in places which would otherwise be well-nigh 

 unfishable ; as, for instance, where high rocks, trees, 

 etc., are immediately behind him ; I may also add 

 that it is equally useful when the wind is blowing 

 strongly down-stream. 



In makinor the above cast too much force must not 

 be used, nor must a beginner lose his temper from the 

 many little causes which may arise to test it, such as 

 adverse wind, trees, rocks, stones, dead or back water, 

 etc. Fish are not always to be found, or if found, to 

 be captured, just when we should wish, and temper is 

 one of the fisherman's greatest trials, and if he cannot 

 keep his temper he is bound to come to grief, and the 

 most patient man is ever the luckiest fisherman. 

 Everything goes wrong with an impatient, hasty man, 

 and everything goes right with the one who takes 

 matters easily and preserves his temper. Let the man 

 who is tempted to get in a rage when fishing — and 



