DRAG 115 



sequently no drag. This too is a strong confirmation 

 of the advice so often given by dry-fly experts never 

 to throw a straight taut line, but in every case to 

 make the fly alight on the water with a curved or 

 slack line behind it. 



The same rules apply when the angler is casting 



across the stream or partly 



Drag when casting across and partly upstream. 



across or partly across If the fish is rising in mid- 



and partly upstream. stream or under the opposite 



bank the pressure of any part 

 of the stream flowing faster than the run on which 

 the fly is floating will tend to straighten the line, and 

 tlfius cause the fly to travel faster than the natural 

 pace. To obviate or at least retard this drag the fly 

 should be cast so that the line is laid on the water in 

 a curve with the convex side inclined upstream. The 

 current acting on this convex surface will gradually 

 straighten it, and if the position has been accurately 

 gauged, the drag will be retarded until the fly is well 

 below the spot at which the trout is rising. 



If by any chance the fish is rising in the swiftest 

 part of the current the fly will not travel at an un- 

 naturally fast pace provided the angler has cast a 

 slack line. In all cases of casting across the stream 

 another form of drag will occur, viz. that of the fly 

 being pulled out of its natural course by the line as 

 soon as it is straight or taut. These examples should 

 convince the tyro that the beautifully straight line 

 which is so often admired and praised by the on- 



