BEGINNING FLYCASTING
by Portly Bob
So now you have purchased
your new rod and reel. Your new vest is stuffed with all sorts of bright and shiny new
toys . Your ready to go down to the local trout mecca and try your hand at catching some
monsters, right? Wrong. Have you ever cast a flyrod before. Most likely not.
Flycasting is an art and like most artistic pursuits it takes some time to become proficient at it and a lifetime to master it. Leonardo didn't paint the Mona Lisa the first time he took up a brush, did he. Michaelangelo didn't create "David" with his first wack of the hammer, right.
Some of you out there may be naturals. You may pick up a flyrod for the very first time and lay out a perfect 30' slack line cast and land the fly on a dime. If you do that, read no further. Most likely you will strip off some line, start your back cast, power foward into the presentation and hook a tree or yourself (probably in the ear). If you get past the ear, your line will likely find itself in a puddle at your feet. Here are a few pointers to avoide total angling embarrassment your first time out with the big boys.
Remember that you are casting the line and not the fly. This is a very important concept. If you come from a spinfishing or bait casting backround you will be use to throwing a weight with a line attached. In flycasting the line has all the weight and when you cast it, the line must travel completely back in it's flight before you can start the foward part of the cast. This means that you should watch the line roll back and straighten out.
Flycasting is timing. Start with the amount of line you want to cast laid out in front of you and your rod tip pointed at about 10 o'clock. Controll you line with your left hand and your rod with your right. (Reverse this if your left handed) Next, make sure your wrist is pointed foward.
In one motion lift the rod slightly,move your arm from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock and snap your wrist back. This will move the line up into the air and on a course behind you. Watch the line on it's way back and when it straightens out behind you power foward with the same motion.
Start with a little line and when you get the hang of that add more. Most flyfishing situations require only 10 to 20 feet of line, so get good with short casts. Having 60' of line tangled in a tree behind you doesn't impress anyone.
Practice, practice, practice!!!! This I can't stress enough. Use your backyard, a park, a field, a street or anywhere you have a little clear space. I live in New York City and I've been Known to stand in the middle of the street or on a fire excape practicing my casting.
The best thing to do to do to learn how to cast is get a video and watch a pro. There are many good videos out there . WE RECOMMEND;
Portly Bob and No-Neck Todd's Beginners Fly casting
In this video Bob and Todd will show you how to flycast step by step. We will teach you the all casts every flyfisherman needs to know and a few tricks that will impress your freinds.For only $14.95 + tax and shipping learn to cast like a pro.