Probably among the most complex fishing techniques, fly fishing is not mastered in a short time. However, as with all difficult endeavors, the results can be equally satisfying. This guide will help you perform the basic forward cast of fly fishing, as well as the slightly more advanced technique of roll casting.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Perform the Basic Forward Throw
Step 1. Load up your fly fishing rod
Fly fishing rods are much more flexible than spinning rods. You will never be able to cast a fly fishing rod properly if you have not first learned to feel the rod flex and straighten in your hand. It is said to "feel the weight of the rod" and it is sometimes a difficult concept for a beginner to grasp. Another way of thinking about the "weight" on the fly rod is as the amount of potential energy "loaded" on the flexible part of the rod and the weight of the rat's tail.
- Get some rat tail out of the fishing rod with the fly. The rat tail is thicker and heavier than the monofilament line, but has a plastic coating that allows it to float. The weight is directly proportional to the amount of rat tail that comes out of the barrel. The process is very similar to that of a whip, where the length determines the potential load of energy.
- When done correctly, the moment of force of your cast, associated with the flexion of the fly rod, will cause the heaviest part of the fly-attached rat tail to fly. This means that your rod will not load if the line that comes out is not of an adequate length.
- The amount of line to leave out depends on the length of the rod and other factors such as weight. Consult the manufacturer of your fishing rod or an expert in the sector to find out the exact amount of line that must come out of that particular tackle. However, a good rule of thumb is that the length of the line is approximately 3 times that of the rod.
Step 2. Tighten the joint as in a handshake
The thumb should be on top and the four fingers wrapped around the barrel. Don't over tighten. Throwing requires fluid movement, so the ideal is a firm but relaxed grip, like when holding a golf club.
Keeping the handle of the fishing rod with the fly under the wrist aligned with the forearm will also help you maintain a straight trajectory during casting
Step 3. Begin the backward cast
Start with the rat tail in front of you, then throw it backwards. It happens that anglers have personal preferences over a 45 degree side cast or an overhead cast. Each launch has its usefulness in a particular situation, but it is recommended that you start with the launch angle that you are comfortable learning at.
- Keep your wrist stiff and your elbow close to your side. The fundamental concept of the backward and forward throwing movements is that they all develop in a straight line.
- Bring the fishing rod back to the “10 o'clock” position. Bend your elbow only.
Step 4. Stop when the rat tail has completely detached from the surface of the water
When you see that the tail has left the surface, stop at the apex of your backward throwing movement. In this way, the momentum of the movement will travel the entire tail.
The amount of line and the weight of the rod will determine the exact time you need to stand still before starting the forward cast. The ideal is to stop long enough to give the rat tail time to unroll almost completely behind you so that the rig is almost stretched out at the exact moment when the forward launch begins
Step 5. Finish with the forward throw
Begin the forward motion evenly and following a straight line to the desired point on the surface of the water. Movement must be calm but fast. As mentioned, you are transferring energy from movement to the tail.
As for the backward cast, the most important aspect is to make sure that the forward cast follows a straight line, otherwise the rat tail will wander and the fly with it
Step 6. Lock your hand abruptly when the tip of the fly fishing rod is still slightly pointing up
The tail will continue to transfer the impulse from the movement made, but keeping the tip of the rod upwards will help the tail cover the entire distance, rather than falling close.
- You will feel the barrel “discharge”, but you don't have to bend your wrist.
- When you see the tail in flight, slightly lower your thumb by about 2.5 cm.
- Keep your hand in the same position and let the tail come out of the barrel.
Method 2 of 2: Perform the Rolled Throw
Step 1. Use the roll throw when you have no space behind you to perform a backward throw
In some cases, trees, bushes or any other obstacle can limit the movement of your throw back. In these situations, a rolled throw is performed.
Roll casting requires the line (hence the fly) to be closer to the body, so it is recommended that you wear a hat and sunglasses when practicing this casting maneuver
Step 2. Hold the barrel in front of you
Use the same gentle but firm grip with your thumb over the handle as described in the forward throw method. You should also make sure that there are no tangles along the line.
Step 3. Bring the tip of the rod back so that a small piece of line falls softly behind the shoulder of the arm that will cast
Much of the rat tail will still be in front of your eyes in this position, almost certainly lying on the water.
This is not a quick movement, but the position you need to be in to initiate the roll throw
Step 4. Move the barrel in a forward throwing motion
This movement must begin gradually and gain speed. The slow initial motion will help you maintain control of the throw, which should follow a straight line.
Instead of unrolling behind you as in the backward cast, the rat tail will unroll in front of you when the collar and fly reach the speed of the cast
Step 5. Blocked when the tip of the barrel is still pointing upwards
Stopping with the tip of the rod in this position allows the rat tail to rise higher and have more room to unwind in front of you.
Casting when the tip of the rod is too far forward will cause the line coiled too low to sink, with the risk of it reaching land or water before it has unwound
Advice
- When casting, do not extend the barrel too far back or forward. If it helps you, imagine seeing yourself from a lateral position and from inside a quadrant. From this observation point, the movement of the barrel must be between 10:00 and 14:00.
- The thinnest end of the terminal is called a collar. Various knots are used to tie the terminal and collar together, such as the improved clinch knot, the axis knot and the albright knot. When you change flies, the collar will shorten, so it is recommended that you always have a spare amount in your toolbox.
- Practice your perception of the cast with fake flips in which you will not let the fly land on the surface, but you will perform another backward cast. This type of casting is also useful for drying the fly.
- When you inspect the barrel before use, make sure that the guides are aligned on the barrel when you put them together. The guides are the rings on the barrel, through which the rat's tail passes.
- Orient your thumb in the direction you want to cast the line. The tip of the fishing rod will follow the direction of the thumb and the line will follow the direction of the fishing rod.
- Placing targets at about 9/18 meters and trying to hit them is a great exercise that will allow you to gain experience in casting with different lengths of line out of the barrel.
Warnings
- Look behind you before throwing.
- The rat tail moves much more freely than a cast made with a spinning rod, so it is highly recommended that you wear a hat and eye protection while learning the basics of casting for fly fishing.
