CASTING 55 



as the ordinary overhanded one up to the forward 

 position, when the rod and line are as shown in 

 Plate IV. Instead of the action at this moment being 

 checked, the forward motion is steadily continued 

 until the P^j^L^L'-'^^ ""i^J^ actually on the surface 

 of the water, and when this is properly carried out 

 the line coils out forwards and extends itself iti the 

 teeth of the wind, the rod and line then being in the 

 position shown in Plate V. 



In reference to these plates, it must be noted that, 

 whereas an ordinary dark-coloured line is plainly 

 visible against the sky, it is almost invisible against a 

 background of bushes, sedge, or water in shade, and 

 under these conditions the line has been whitened by 

 the application of chalk. 



The position of the hand should be noted, and it is 

 above all essential that the action of the return and 

 cast should throughout be slow and without great 

 force. When the tyro fails to place his fly into the 

 wind it may be laid down that he is making one or 

 more of three mistakes: (i) he may be moving his 

 rod too rapidly ; (2) he may be using undue force ; 

 and (3) he may not be carrying the action through 

 until the rod-point is down on the water. Many 

 men make the cast in effect very like the ordinary 

 overhanded ; when they come to the forward position 

 check the motion of the rod for a moment, and then 

 let the point fall forwards on to the water. This 

 action will in every case fail, and the beginner must 

 learn to carry his rod right through from the back- 



