DRY- FLY FISHING. 
23 
EXERCISE VII. 
HOW TO CAST A DRY FLY. 
You need not for a while begin the practice of 
drying your fly. Be content for a few times to leave 
this, and only -endeavour to get facility in straight 
and accurate and light casting. 
When you feel you can do this pretty well, you 
may begin to practise drv-fly fishing which may be 
shortly defined as the art of so manipulating and 
casting your fly that it shall not sink below the 
surface of the water, but shall float like a natural 
living fly upon it and down it. 
In order to this, then, instead of casting your fly, 
after each backward cast, on to the water you must 
drive it backwards and forwards, quickly and firmly 
but not violently, through the air , say four times (the 
times will have to vary according to the state of the 
atmosphere and the size and nature of your fly) and 
not till the fourth time, at least, make your cast fall 
on the water. This will completely dry out all the 
moisture and cause the wings or hackle to expand 
and float on the water like a living insect. 
Remember ever in drying your fly not to think of 
your line but only of your rod. Let all your force 
fall on that, and not on the line ; and try to use as 
little force as possible. 
