Casting lesson

Too Much, Too Soon

There are several casting errors anglers possess.  Lets look at the one that starts at the beginning of the cast. Many anglers start the cast from an incorrect position and also apply too much acceleration to early. This action results in overloading the rod, much to soon, before getting to the next position at 10:00. The rod tends to flex quicker than it is designed to. This causes havoc with the rest of the casting stoke. The rest of the  false cast results in poor line control.  Anglers will have a hard time gaining control of the rods ability to do its job.

Remember this; the rod is the tool and is designed to do the main work.  If  handled correctly the rod will cast great.  Think of it this way, an man is jack-hammering  some asphalt up for a repair to the roads surface.  He is leaning his weight on top of the machine thinking that the additional weight of his body will make the tool cut right into the surface of the asphalt and dig quickly.  However, if he just stood back from the machine and let it bounce up and down by itself, the hammerhead would have greater bounce effect of the chisel head, therefore cutting into the asphalt surface quicker and efficiently.

Proper cast from the start:

• It is better to start the rod parallel to the waters surface particularly  for longer cast. For example shorter cast, 5'-15' or so, every thing seems easy.  Mistakes are less prevalent.  As the cast is extended further more precise control of you movements is essential. On a short cast, if the rod is started up high when the cast is initiated, it has less effect on on the overall rod loading, because you hardly have any line out.  Longer cast require  more line to pick up, longer rod loading strokes, and rod idle periods to effectively cast with control and accuracy.
• Before starting to raise the rod, make sure you strip in any slack. A tight line is better and uniformly loads the rod.  The amount of line stripped in depends on your overall ability to handle a false cast. For example if you false casting distance is limited to 20' in the air, then having 35' of line to pick-up at the beginning of a cast form the water is going to be difficult.  Strip in the line back to 20'-25' an imitate the cast .Advanced anglers can pick up hugh amounts of line off the water and have beautiful cast. You can get there too. Be patient.
•  With the rod low and the line with no slack, lift the rod at a  slow to moderate rate to the 10:00 position. This action has 2 parts: 1) it is the slowest of stroke speeds and allows the rod the time to lift all the line off the water with a soft, gentle rod loading.
• 10:00 through just before the 2:00 position is the faster acceleration stroke. This stroke is the mid power loading part of the cast. It allows the line to gather more speed. 
• Just before the 2:00 position is the micro snap which finalizes the power of the rod to maximize the line speed. This step is very quick and short in terms of rod movement.

At the end of the day, timing and feel is key.  Every sport has correct form(s) one must learn to get good. Fly casting is no different. This form I have mastered and use over and over again.  Focus on the correct form and it will lead you to feel the rod and let the rod do the real work. Feeling the rod is the single most important attribute in ones ability to cast at all ranges.  I believe that this only happens when the form is correct.  It is the pleasure of casting. Form, timing are to me the only way to feel this pleasure.  Once mastered casting and hook ups bring me the ultimate experience. You can too.

I offer casting instruction at the shop from beginner to advanced techniques.  Purchase a rod and I will show you how to get better at casting for free.  I will always be there for you when you stop back in for any additional help you may need to keep it going.

The next writ up will focus on the 10:00-2:00 power stroke and the finial will be on the micro snap.  Stay tuned.


AuSable River Two Fly Shop