228 SALMON AND TROUT. 



curve of which is facing down stream, is changed in its direc- 

 tion to D G ; the outward curve facing up stream, the posi- 

 tion of the rod being shifted from c to d the action of the 

 stream will then straighten the line, which will gradually get 

 into the position c H, the position of the rod being shifted back 

 to A c ; the fly will then work gradually across stream, the rod 

 following the direction of the fly until the cast is completed at 

 A B M. Few fishermen I have watched fishing take the trouble 

 to take the belly out of their line, and are content to let the fly 

 work in the same position as it was cast ; but if they would 

 look at it in the light 1 see it, I feel convinced they would be 

 of my opinion. 



Many experienced fishermen advocate casting straight across 

 stream, and assert that by adopting this method many more 

 fish are risen than by any other ; they may be right, but I much 

 doubt it, and maintain that, even should more fish be risen by 

 the straight-across method, more fish are killed by casting 

 down and across. 



A reference to diagram, fig. 4, will show how a fly works 

 cast straight across stream, a b c, from the time the fly touches 

 the water at c to when the cast is completed, a B E. The course 

 of the fly is represented by the dotted line c d e ; the position 

 of the rod cannot be altered, as it would make matters worse. 

 It will be seen that the fly is travelling from first to last head 

 foremost down stream, the cross action of the stream on the 

 fly will put all its feathers out of gear, the fish in the pool will 

 get but a momentary sight of it, and will have no time to dis- 

 cern its colour, and if they rise at it, by the time they reach 

 the surface of the water the fly will be a yard behind them down 

 stream, and the disappointment thus caused will be apt to scare 

 them to such a degree that they will not rise again. 



That fish are thus caught I do not deny, but I maintain 

 that many more are caught by adopting the down and across 

 cast. 



Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams representing the two slovenly 

 casts I have before alluded to. In both diagrams b c shows 



