The Practical Angler Or The Art Of Trout Fishing

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. ON TROUTING WITH THE FLY. AVING in the preceding chapters expressed our opinion, that fly-fishing should be practised up stream, and having mentioned the flies and tackle I most suitable for the purpose, we now J request the reader's particular attention ft to the remainder of the subject, as being the most important part of it. The first point which falls under consideration is the casting of the line. After having put up your rod, drawn off a sufficient quantity of line from your reel, and fastened on your flies; before commencing, soak the line and flies in the water for a few minutes, as it is no use fishing when the gut is dry, and lying in rebellious curls upon the surface; and when, should a trout take any of the flies, there is a great risk of its carrying them all away--dry gut being very brittle and apt to break at the knots. When the line is thoroughly soaked, take the rod in your right hand, raise it with sufficient force to make the line go to its full length behind, and then CASTING THE LINE. pausing for a moment till it has done so, with a circular motion of the wrist and arm urge the rod forward, rapidly at first, but gradually lessening the speed, so that when it stops no recoil of the point will take place. The whole motion of the rod in casting should be in the shape of a horse-shoe; and care must be taken not to urge the flies forward, till they have gone the full length behind, or you will be apt to crack them off. Many a beginner who cracks off his flies pleases himself with the idea that some trout of large dimensions has carried them away. The line must be so thrown that the flies will fall first upon the water, and as little of the line with them as possible. If you were to fish up a strong stream, ..