Fly-Fishing. 369 



O is supposed to be the angler, and, as we are looking 

 down upon him from above, it represents his hat. The 

 dark line, a, h, c, is the curve described by the tip of the 

 rod in the backward and forward movements of the cast — 

 back over the left shoulder, and forward over the right; 

 while the dotted curved line, i, e, f, is the approximate an; 

 described by the tail-fly, leaving the water at d, and alight- 

 ing, by a lengthened cast, at /. By studying these dia- 

 grams in connection with the instructions given, the theory 

 and mechanical principles will soon be mastered by the 

 novice. 



But various ways of casting come into play at certain 

 times, and under peculiar circumstances; and the rod will 

 be held more or less to one side or the other, or more ver- 

 tically, as particular circumstances or emergencies demand. 

 For the novice must remember that there are trees and 

 bushes, and rocks and winds, to contend with in fly-fish- 

 ing; and, moreover, as he becomes proficient, he will choose 

 his own style of casting, for no two anglers cast the fly 

 exactly alike. 



However, all methods of overhead casting are but varia- 

 tions or modifications of the methods described; and the 

 particular circumstances calling for them will naturally 

 suggest their necessity, use, or advantages to the angler 

 as he becomes more expert, and gains in knowledge by 

 practical experience. It is hardh' necessary, therefore, 

 or even advisable, to allude more particularly to other ways 

 of overhead casting, as it would, in my opinion, tend more 

 to confuse than to enlighten the beginner. 



Then there is the sidewise cast, where the line is not 



thrown behind the angler at all, but to one side or the 



other. This style of easting is practiced with a short 



line, on very narrow waters, or where the hanks of the 



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