DRAG 119 



the current will straighten this curve, and until it is 

 nearly straight the fly will not drag. The beginner 

 may ask how he is to accomplish this. With a 

 downstream wind it is quite simple if the angler 

 will use the horizontal cast and exert only just 

 sufficient force to cheat the wind. The fly will then 

 land on the water a short distance below the rest 

 of the line. With an upstream wind it is not quite 

 so easy. The angler must take his position just 

 below or level with the fish, and to compensate 

 for the effect of the wind he must cast as if 

 he intended to place his fly below the fish. Here 

 again the force or downward finish must not be 

 sufficiently pronounced to put the fly directly into 

 the wind. 



It is well not only to lower the hand the moment 

 the fly lands, but even to follow its direction down 

 with the rod-point, as this is a most useful adjunct 

 in retarding the drag. At times, and especially 

 when using the half drift, drag can be even further 

 retarded by walking or, better still, crawling down 

 the bank. 



When fishing a difficult place the angler may find 

 that varying his method of casting will often be of 

 assistance in retarding drag. Thus, if with the over- 

 handed cast he cannot manage to fish the place without 

 drag, he should try the horizontal, and if this is 

 unsuccessful, the back-handed horizontal cast. It is 

 perhaps as well not to try these experiments over a 

 feeding fish, but on adjoining water of similar speed. 



