50 THE DRY-FLY MAN'S HANDBOOK 



a desired manner, and at a desired moment." I 

 confess that I do not see how to improve on this 

 definition. 



The beginner when trying to teach himself to cast 

 should let out a few yards of line, say eight or ten. 

 The rod held firmly in one hand is raised nearly 

 vertically to lift the fly, collar and line into the air 

 behind the angler, and at the same time a slight 

 backward movement is communicated by the wrist. 

 At a certain point this upward and backward motion 

 is checked, and the action of casting or throwing' the fly 

 is commenced by moving the rod forward and letting 

 the point of the rod gradually assume a position more 

 nearly horizontal so as to deliver the fly on the water. 

 Before making a second cast the rod is raised and 

 carried backwards into a nearly vertical position, and 

 this is styled returning the fly. 



The grip or method of holding the rod is most 



important. The majority of 



Grip of the rod. first-rate performers grip the 



rod (in the right or left hand), 

 holding It tightly between the ball of the thumb and 

 the second, third and fourth fingers, using the fore- 

 finger for regulating the line and pressing the thumb 

 firmly, pointing upwards, along the handle of the rod 

 as shown in Plate I. Marryat gripped his rod with 

 both thumb and forefinger pressed against the handle 

 and pointed upwards. He had an abnormally long 

 forefinger ; possibly this was to some extent the effect 

 of his peculiar grip. He always considered that this 



