being shared by some one
else.

If you have a boat to yourself, stand as near the centre of it as you
possibly can without interfering with the boatman in rowing, and cover
every inch of the water in front of you and as far to the sides as the
wind will permit. Always be careful how you cast--that is, every time
you throw your flies see that they land lightly on the water, as no one
can expect to raise fish if any splash is made by either line or flies.
Fine casting is not quite so essential, of course, when a fair breeze is
blowing; but if the wind be light, then the difference between a
well-thrown fly and the reverse is very apparent. After you have made a
satisfactory cast, draw the line slowly to you by raising the point of
the rod, taking care to keep the line as taut as possible. Also see that
your bob-fly is tripping on the surface, as we consider that a
well-managed "bob" is the most life-like of the whole lot. Do not fish
with too long a line, unless, indeed, on an exceptional occasion, when
you wish to reach the lie of a feeding fish. It is difficult to define a
long line, but a good general rule is that it should never be longer
than when you have the consciousness that, if a fish should rise, you
have him at a fair and instantaneous striking distance. Remember that
the time the flies first touch the water after each cast is the most
deadly; therefore, cast often.

If you have only the share of a boat, the rule is that one man takes the
stern up till lunch, and the other after it. For ourselves, we have a
preference for the bow, and we generally find that most anglers prefer
the luxury of the stern; so when both parties are pleased, there is no
occasion for changing at all. The most important thing to bear in mind
when you have a companion is, as we said in last chapter, to confine
yourself to your own water. If the left-hand cast is the one proper to
your end of the boat, cast as much to your right hand as you can without
infringing on your neighbour's share of the water: all the water to your
left hand is of course yours. The same remarks apply _vice versa_.
_Never stop casting_ so long as you are on fishable ground, for you know
not the moment a good fish may rise. Certain it is that unless you keep
your flies constantly going, you cannot expect to have the same basket
as the angler who does. Keep your eyes on your flies in a general way,
and do not let your attention be distracted so long as they are i