Tips on Fly Casting
Getting Properly Loaded
by Walt Robinson
Getting Properly Loaded
by Walt Robinson
The act of casting a fly line involves the bending of the fly rod to provide energy to the line in making the cast. This process is known as loading the rod. It occurs with each forward and backcast. Done properly, the rod moves back slowly and is accelerated to a stop forming the loop, the rod is unloaded and there is brief pause while the line unfolds. The process is repeated as the forward cast begins in a routine that we call false casting. Sounds all well and good.
Unfortunately, too many fly fisherman do not get the cast started properly and find it difficult to recover and must make numerous casts to finally get control of the cast. The problem starts by having the rod tip too far off the water when you start your backcast. If you are standing knee deep in water and your rod is parallel to the water you will have about 3' of slack in your line. If you are on your ladder at Pyramid, there could be 6' to 7' of slack. You will not get the rod loaded until it is almost vertical which most likely will result in a wide loop or worse.
The solution is starting your cast with the rod tip near or on the water surface. You should also work out most of the slack so that your line is straight as possible. This position allows you to start your cast with the surface tension of water sucking on the flyline so as the rod is lifted to start your backcast, it will load immediately. A smart steady lift and acceleration to a stop to about your ear will produce a good loop up and back, giving you a proper start to a shorter series of false casts. Work on this and you will have your fly on the water a lot sooner.
Don't forget, I will have a club casting session starting at 10:00 AM during our Confab, Saturday the 10th at Quail Hollow. See you there!
Questions? E-mail me at wrobinson4@prodigy.net.