The forward cast then must be timed to start immediately after the pause and is a strong, forward sweep of the rod, increasing in force as it goes forward, aided and directed by the pressure of the extended thumb. It ends with the rod in about the same position as at the beginning of the back cast or a little above parallel of the water. The rod is then in position to manipulate or retrieve the fly or hook a rising fish.
When casting ordinary lengths it is safest for the young caster to keep his elbow in and use only the forearm and wrist but when a long cast is attempted
the upper arm may be put into use. Thrashing, however, should be avoided — make the rod do the work. This point was well brought out by F. M. Halford, the famous English dry fly fisherman: ". . . In throwing a long line the upper arm will come into use in addition to the wrist and forearm, as the angler will have to feel the line of the backward cast through the arc of a larger circle. The force required to propel various lengths of line without over casting or under casting (the first of these terms meaning the use of too much, and the second of too little, power to extend) and only just extending the line, varies directly with every yard of line used. This adaptation of the power to cast, of cause to effect, constitutes the secret of how to cast well."
