370 Book op the Black Bass. 



stream are thickly clothed with tall grass or bushes, and 

 where there is not sufficient clear space for throwing the 

 line behind the angler. 



In this mode of casting, the angler throws the line land- 

 ward, over the grass or bushes, to the right or left, as the 

 case may be ; and, when the line has unfolded in a straight 

 line, to cast toward the water by an opposite sidewise cast. 

 In all other respects, the management of the cast must 

 approach, as nearly as possible, the regular overhead cast. 



Another method of easting that occasionally comes into 

 play is "switching." This mode is very useful where 

 high banks, trees or bushes render the overhead and side- 

 wise cast impracticable, though it admits of but a very 

 short line being used, shorter than in the sidewise cast. 



Switching is performed by raising the arm and rod to 

 their fullest extent, vertically, thus drawing the flies close 

 to, and in front of, the angler ; then, by a quick, smart, 

 motion of the rod, downward, the flies are projected for- 

 ward, or laterally, as the angler maj^ wish. The forward 

 motion is much like striking with a whip or switch, and 

 is more easily imagined than described. 



But let us go back to our tyro, who has now become 

 proficient with the short line, for it is time to lengthen 

 his cast, which is done in this way: He pulls off from 

 the reel ^^ith the left hand three or four feet of line, and 

 lifting his rod, slowly at first, by a gradually increasing 

 motion lifts the leader and flies and throws them upward 

 and backward over the left shoulder, as before described. 

 The resistance of the leader and flies, before they leave the 

 water, takes the extra length of line from the rod, and it 

 is unfolded behind the angler in a straight line, when he 

 casts it forward over the right shoulder. 



In this way the line is lengthened at every cast, if neees- 



