Fly Fishing Casting

Unlike other casting methods, fly fishing can be thought of as casting line rather than lure. Non-flyfishing methods rely on a lure's weight to pull line from the reel during the forward motion of a cast. A fly is too light to be cast, and thus simply follows the unfurling of a properly cast fly line, which is heavier and tapered and therefore more castable than lines used in other fishing.

The type of cast used varies according to the conditions. The most common is the forward cast, where the angler whisks the fly into the air, back over the shoulder until the line is nearly straight, then forward, using primarily the forearm. The objective of this motion is to "load" (bend) the rod tip with stored energy, then transmit that energy to the line, resulting in the fly line and fly being cast for an appreciable distance. Casting without landing the fly on the water is known as 'false casting', and may be used to pay out line, to dry a soaked fly, or to reposition a cast. Other casts are the roll cast, the single- or double-haul, the tuck cast, and the side- or curve-cast.

Beginners tend to point with the rod to where they want to throw, but the movement of the hand has to be a contolled speed up and then come to an abrupt stop. The rod will then start to unfurl and the tip of the rod will reach a high speed in the required direction. The high speed of the rod tip toward the target gives the impulse to make the cast, the abrupt stop and retreat of the rod tip is essential for the formation of a loop. Experienced fishermen also improve the speed of the line leaving the rod tip by a technique called stripping, applying a quick fast pull with the hand holding the line. At the end of the cast when the line is stretched the line as a whole will still have speed and the fisherman can let some extra line through his fingers making a false throw, either forward or backward or to finish the cast and start fishing.

There are a great number of special casts meant to evade problems like trees behind the angler (roll cast), the pulling of the line on the fly by the action of the stream, or to make the fly land more softly.

The most common method of learning is to get a lesson from a qualified instructor, its a little expensive but well worth it. I didnt have any lessons, my dad taught me when i was 7 years old, but I would advise you to have 1 or 2 lessons then practice in a field until you get it right. Its hard to start with and you will probably think you never do it, then it will just click and it will become second nature. If you also watch a dvd it will help you a great deal.

Good luck.........

If you have any questions about this i will be happy to answer them for you if you contact me.