Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: DragonSpeed on February 27, 2005, 01:22:22 PM
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I went out today, and cast my new fly rod for about 1.5 hours. Obviously, I haven't quite got the technique perfected, but it was cool to see that I could actually cast with moderate accuracy to distances from 20-35 ft.
Obviously the wind knots have got to go, but I can manage a decent cast now. I have a feeling that I won't TOTALLY embarass myself around my friend and his buddies. Now the challenge is to get the technique CORRECT, rather than just functional.
The Happy Fly Caster :D
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Well done, did you have any instruction at all ? I was self taught and managed to embarass myself at the fly-show, so it may be worth getting someone else to watch you if you went to. Otherwise, I found that the casting was hardest part of learning to fly fish, considering it's what you spend a fair amout of the day doing.
Wind knots happen to all levels of fly fishermen, some more than others. So don't really worry about that much, the more you fish, the less you should encounter.
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Ha, 35 feet, I am better than that! Let's see you beat my 36 feet. ;D Well done... Did you do this in public....? ;)
Spud, don't worry about embarrassing yourself at the casting pools of the flyshow... lol.... It happens to many... ;)
A lesson is definitely recommended, to get those bad habits identified so you don't keep doing it forever.
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I took an hour private lesson with Scott of Anglers West. Best investment I made.
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Well, so far I have been out uninstructed in the courtyard of our townhome complex. I got all kinds of quizzical looks, and also the odd humourous comment. All in all, I didn't make a TOTAL fool of myself, and my "fly" never came close to my ear :D Of course, once I use something with a hook, I'm sure it'll be a different story.
Yes, I definitely need something instruction wise, but today was the first baby step. Perhaps in a while I'll get some actual instructions to go with my own variation that I'm using now ;)
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Good on you Dragon. 30 to 50 feet is all you need. After 50 feet you are fishing blind and after 70 feet you are just showing off. keep the elbow down, the loops tight, and don't bend the wrist.
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That sounds great Dragon. Good job!!
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Spent some time talking to one of the instructors from the Kalamalka Fly Fishing Club. To get 30ft of line out it has to travel at 30mph, 50ft = 50mph. the most he got out was 84ft. I fish still water Chironomids so I only have to get out what the the depth is. Normally less than 50ft. Just work on technique & rhythm, once it click you'll wonder what all the fuss was about
PS. nothing wrong with the front lawn.
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just stay away from the float fishers!
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Good point BigFisher...float-fishers seem to have a sense of humour failure when a fly-guy pulls up beside them. ;)
It's like encountering a bear, give them their space, and they'll give you yours. 8)
If you are going to fish beside one, make sure that you're casting arm is on the side of you furthest from the other fisher. For example, if you're rght handed, try to have it so that another fisher is on your left side. It's different if someone else comes and fishes on your casting side, then they "fish at their own risk."
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Good on ya , you`re going to love it . If you`re getting wind knots , it`s probably because you`re starting your forward stroke just a little early . Try and pay attention to what your backcast is doing . Try and watch it over your shoulder . When it`s done properly , the back cast should be high , and you should feel a little tug on your rod . NOW is the time to start your forward cast . The backcast is the most important element in fly casting .
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Good on ya , you`re going to love it . If you`re getting wind knots , it`s probably because you`re starting your forward stroke just a little early . Try and pay attention to what your backcast is doing . Try and watch it over your shoulder . When it`s done properly , the back cast should be high , and you should feel a little tug on your rod . NOW is the time to start your forward cast . The backcast is the most important element in fly casting .
Good tip. I have a feeling that if I start my forward stroke too soon, that's when I get the "crack the whip" effect as well.
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10 and 2 my friend. This helped me to stop breaking off the fly back cast to 10 oclock forward to 2. If you ever find a fly fisher saying this when fishing just come over and say hi ;D
Great job
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9 and 1 works better.
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well when a beginner pick up and cast from 9 O'clock to a 1 O'clock position, they do have a tendency to over extand their fore-arm and cause a wide loop. So i usually advice ppl to keep the rod up high, tight elbow keep the rod from around 10 o'clock to 1:30 position. Basically, this is how its work from pick-up to lay out a cast... pick up the line, to 1:30 position, pause, wait until the line is fully extended, move the rod forward to a 10 o'clock position pause wait until it fully extended.. Then repleate the same motion again.. other wise, wait until the line is fully extended at the 10 o'clock position, then just simply lower the rod to a 8:30 ish position.. your line will lay out really nicely. goodluck fishing
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9 and 1 works better.
10 and 2 is easy...it's symmetrical. Which side is 9, and which is 1?
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you always face at 9 o'clock, top of your head is 12, behind your is 3 and under your feet is 6.
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
Does it go out 90' or just in a pile in front? ;D
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
I do that too from the roof top of our buiding. It helps in eliminating the twists on the line. 8) ;D
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
Does it go out 90' or just in a pile in front? ;D
All 90' :)
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
Does it go out 90' or just in a pile in front? ;D
All 90' :)
Yeah but the 6 weight full float and fly with large bead combined with your guides and line lubed with KY gel don't count. ;D
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
Does it go out 90' or just in a pile in front? ;D
All 90' :)
Yeah but the 6 weight full float and fly with large bead combined with your guides and line lubed with KY gel don't count. ;D
;D ;D ;D
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your bustin my gut lol
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Way to go, Dragon Speed. Now you are into the REAL fishing. ;D
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When casting my singlehander i can shoot out all 90Ft of line 8)
Does it go out 90' or just in a pile in front? ;D
All 90' :)
Yeah but the 6 weight full float and fly with large bead combined with your guides and line lubed with KY gel don't count. ;D
Has anyone tried the KY jelly that is supposed to feel warm? Does this help at all when shooting the line out?? :P :P
d_w? TTS?
Shane
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Way to go DS! 9 is at the front and 1 at the back. I agree with this. The best analogy I've read about casting is to put a nail in each side of the door frame and hammer them in with a double sided hammer. That's the basic motion. As for the wind knots and crack sound, try starting your forward cast slower and accelerate through the cast. Don't be a statue either. It's ok to turn and look at your back cast.
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Jeff I agree that most times fishing beyond 50ft is overkill. Although I can think of at least 2 situations where 70ft or more is usefull if not manditory for hooking fish. Situation #1 would be fishing for summer steelhead on medium to large waters. Typically to get a swing that is slow and fishes tight to the fly from the second it hits the water one needs to throw their cast downstream at a fine angle. If the cast is thrown directly across stream typically the line will belly before the swing comes tight. So from the time your line lands on the water till the time it pulls straight and begins its tensioned swing you have no active controll over the way the fly is fishing. To remedy this problem throwing downstream at the proper angle will allow the fly to be tight to the line and fishing properly under your controll as soon as it hits the water. This is where distance casters really cash in. Because you are throwing your cast at lets say 45 degrees downstream you will need a much longer cast to cover the same amout of water than if you were throwing straight across.Depending on the angle downstream you are casting a 50 ft wide part of the river may take a 70ft cast to cover properly. Situation #2 would be beach fishing for Coho's, Pinks etc.... I have seen several times the fish get pushed out just beyond the range of average casters while those of us who were clearing 90ft were still getting them.
These are 2 situations where long casts are needed to catch fish and I know there are thousands more out there. I would agree that most of the time 50ft is enough but I do believe once the novice caster can reach 50ft cleanly and with accuracy they should move on to learning distance casts so they can take on these adavanced situations when they arise. My advice is to never be happy with the distance you cast and always look to improve upon the cast during you practice times. This will provide you with the drive to become a GREAT caster!!!!!!!!!!
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wow 90 foot casts, what line and rod? is there any casting instructers out there willing to teach an old dog new tricks?
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I have cast 90ft+ with a TFO signature series 1 9ft 8 wieght and lined with a 8 wieght rio windcutter. I have some considerably more expensive rods in the quiver but I want to say that these distances can be achieved with modest,well balanced fly tackle and proper technique. Im no teacher but if you are looking to improve on your distance there is some good information at www.sexyloops.co.uk
Also there is a great video out there called "Saltwater Flycasting: 10 steps to distance and power" by George V Roberts maybe the best video made on this topic.
Good Luck!
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another good, site for basic casting tips
www.bcadventure.com/adventure/ angling/protalk/caverhill/flycast.I have taken several courses in casting with some private lessons.I find it good to get back to the basics now and then,an hour or two with an good instructor does wonders
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So how goes the battle DS? Have you knitted a sweater out of fly line yet? ;D Remember not to cast past your ability. Start with 30' and gat good at that then go for 50-60 etc. It'll happen.
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With Spring having crept up, I'm really busy with the Cubs and Scouts now :( I can hit 30 pretty regularly...might try and go out on an actual lake on Saturday :o
We'll see.