Tips on Fly Casting
Get A Grip
Walt Robinson, Casting Master
Get A Grip
Walt Robinson, Casting Master
Our main contact with the rod is through our grip. Grip it wrong and it will be a long day of sore arms and casting. Avoid gripping the rod in a "suit case" or "hitch hiking" style where the fingers are all lined up tight together with the thumb extended along the top of the rod. This method can create a lot of tension and reduce the effectiveness of the cast.
A better method is along the lines of a golf grip. For those of you who play, you are ahead of the game. Place the rod handle along the line of where your fingers attach to your hand and lightly wrap your fingers around the grip. We are striving for a grip that is more in the fingers than in the palm. The most pressure should be applied only with your ring finger and little finger. The other three need to be spread out as far as it is comfortable and lightly rest on the cork. Look to see that your index finger is curled under the rod similar to pulling a trigger and that it is even or beyond the tip of your thumb as it rests along the top of the cork. If you are casting correctly by accelerating to a stop, your thumb, index finger and middle finger will automatically increase their pressure on the rod. Try casting with as light a grip as possible to turn over the line and you will find a much more comfortable feeling along with some improved casting.
Got a casting question? Email me at wrobinson4@prodigy.net.