The Principles of Casting Floating & Intermediate Fly Line

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Date: May 22, 2002 at 18:09:33
From: Capt. Tom Hughes, [ip68-9-201-3.ri.ri.cox.net]
Subject: The Principles of Casting Floating & Intermediate Fly Line

The Principles of Casting Floating & Intermediate Fly Line
By Capt. Tom Hughes

REF: Some terminology use in this document is that of Lefty Kreh. I was honored to have learned the art of fly-casting from this incredible individual and teacher.

SAFETY FIRST
Use fly line that contains a leader ONLY. Do not attach a fly while practicing fly-casting.

FEET PLACEMENT
Right-handed caster - right foot should be positioned to the rear with the left foot slightly forward.

Left-handed caster - left foot should be positioned to the rear with the right foot slightly forward.

This will allow the body to move easily back and forth while casting from a boat or on shore. This placement is most important when trying to achieve a long cast.

THUMB PLACEMENT ON THE FLY ROD
Behind the rod from the target and the hand should not be twisted during the backcast.

The correct thumb placement achieves two things; (1) energy is transmitted fully in the back and forward casts, (2) this will improve your accuracy.

ELBOW LOCATION DURING THE CAST
The elbow SHOULD NOT elevate during the cast it should remain on the same plane.

UNDERSTANDING:
Imagine you have a stationary flat shelf under your elbow during the back and forward cast. Keep down pressure on your elbow on top of this flat shelf. This would force your elbow from moving off of a flat plane (or shelf) during your cast.

Casting Principles

1. FIRST MOVE THE LINE END BEFORE MAKING A BACK OR FORWARD CAST.
This removes the fly line from the surface and allows the rod to load correctly.

NOTE: With intermediate fly line before accomplishing this you must ROLL CAST the line on top of the water.

2. ONCE THE LINE END IS MOVING MOVE YOUR CASTING HAND AT AN EVER-INCREASING SPEED AND THEN BRING IT TO A SUDDEN STOP.
This is NOT a power stroke. Applying power will often spoil a cast. This should be considered and called a speed up and stop stroke.

NOTE: The faster you speed up and stop the rod tip, the faster the line will travel. The size of the loop is solely determined by the distance the rod moves in the final moment of the cast during the speed up and stop.

3. THE LINE GOES IN THE DIRECTION THE ROD SPEED UP AND STOPS.
On a backcast if the rod tip stops in an upward angle the line will travel upward.

If the rod tip stops when traveling down or back the line will travel downward. This causes a sag in the line. This sag must be removed before making a good forward cast. With the majority of forward casts the line travels parallel to or slightly above the surface.

4. IT TAKES LESS EFFORT TO CAST WHEN THE CASTING STROKE TRAVELS A LONGER DISTANCE DURING THE BACK AND FORWARD CASTS.
When throwing heavy flies, defeating the wind, making long casts or special casts, the rod should travel father back and forward during the casting stroke. Moving the rod well behind you during the backcast allows you to make many more casts. This should produce more fish.

*Casting lessons (floating, intermit & sinking fly lines) is available from a boat on the water. Please call for appointment (410) 747-9431.

Tight Lines,

Capt. Tom Hughes
Fly & Light Tackle Guide
Orvis Guide Member

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Re: The Principles of Casting Floating & Intermediate Fly Line Jeff 21-Aug-2003 14:06:51 (0)

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