372 SALMON AND TROUT. 
opposite to the general run of the stream outside, a fly must 
drag ; but in a large eddy it is sometimes possible to cast up 
the eddy and let the fly drift down it, thus placing oneself 
apparently in the position of throwing down stream. 
Dragging owing to the fly drifting across the natural run of 
the stream is a very usual cause of non-success. Perhaps the 
strongest example of this is when casting to a fish rising under 
and close.to the opposite bank : the moment the line is ex- 
tended the fly begins describing a segment of a circle, of which. 
the rod-point is the centre and the length of line the radius ; 
‘and here, again, the slacker the line the longer the drag is 
delayed. It is strange how often fishermen fail to notice this 
class of drag, and wonder at their being unable to get an offer 
from a fish rising freely, and in a place apparently so favourable. 
It is in a case of this description that the advantage of a well- 
fatted line is most evident, as it floats down with the fly, while 
the ordinary varnished silk line sinks and causes the fly to 
drag. 
The result of all consideration of the question of dragging 
tends in one direction, and the lesson to be learnt cannot’ be 
too strongly impressed on the minds of anglers who wish to be 
successful, and are therefore alive to the fact that to learn this 
or any other art they must continually study to find out their 
mistakes. One often hears approbation expressed of the cast- 
ing powers of various fishermen ; in the words of the majority 
of their admirers they are loudly praised for throwing so ‘ straight 
a line.’ I cannot conceive a stronger condemnation. In almost 
every possible position where drag is likely to occur, the remedy 
suggested is a slack line, and I believe that the straight line is 
often a cause of failure in wet as well as dry fly fishing, the drag 
taking place beneath the surface of the water, especially in fast 
streams. 
IVhen to cast to a rising fish is at times important. In 
changeable weather, for example, select a moment when the 
sun is covered by a cloud; in hot bright weather wait, if 
possible, for a light puff of wind to ripple the surface. When 
