Tips on Fly Casting
Loop Control Drill
by Walt Robinson
Loop Control Drill
by Walt Robinson
Mother nature threw everything at us on our Confab/Quail Hollow Day, but a hearty group of about 20 people participated in casting lessons during some very rainy and windy weather. There is one casting drill that I used frequently that kept the lines out of the air and allowed the caster to view both the forward cast and back cast. Set up a "line" on the lawn. This can be a hose, walkway edge, tape measure etc. that is about 50 feet long. Take a position in the middle of this "line" and move at least a rod length away facing the "line." You will be making side arm casts along this line making sure that the back of your hand remains parallel to the ground. Start with 10'-15' of line out the rod tip. Make casts one at a time letting it rest on the ground before you make the next one. The "line" will help you focus on making the rod tip travel in a straight line.
Your acceleration to a stop should be made at the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock position. You can help this by placing a marker like a Frisbee at each of these positions. Concentrate on: (1) Slow, deliberate movement noting the shape of loops and whether they are turning over. (2) Holding the wrist cocked as you move your arm releasing it only as you accelerate to a stop. Do not do this drill with the wrist only. You may also try stopping at the 10 o'clock - 2 o'clock and 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to see what happens when your rod tip moves in an arc. As you improve, begin holding the line in the air in this side arm position with continuous false casting and then work in up to an overhead position.
Use this drill often to improve your cast.
Now that Daylight Savings Time has begun, I will be conducting casting clinics before the club meetings, at 5:30 PM, out in the parking lot at the Aptos Grange. Bring your rod, and rig up with some old line, as we will be casting onto the asphalt, which isn't the best surface for good lines. -Walt.