Head Fly
An Introductory Guide to Fly Fishing Casting
The art of fly fishing casting may look extremely difficult to the beginner angler, but with a bit of practice it is not that difficult to become a good fly caster. It is important to know how to cast with fly fishing, and it doesn’t matter what equipment or fly collection you have – if you can’t cast properly, you will not be successful. It’s important to be able to land a fly fishing fly on an exact location on the water’s surface when fly fishing casting. The fundamental fly fishing casting techniques required by the novice angler are described within this article.
It is recommended that the beginner learn fly fishing casting from a fishing instructor, but there are plenty of books, DVDs, and online guides that teach fly fishing casting. The two main fly fishing casting techniques used today are the overhead cast, and the roll cast, and all other fly fishing casting techniques are variations of these two techniques. The beginner will start with the basic dry fly fishing method where a floating line is used which floats on top of the water. Beginner anglers will find it far easier to see the fly line when casting if the dry fly fishing method is used. It is also easier to detect a strike on the line. Also, using a bulky fly fishing vest can impede your casting stroke, and beginners are advised to use a smaller fly fishing chest pack or lumbar pack – there are a wide range of Fishpond pack models to choose from for the beginner angler.
When practicing fly fishing casting it is important to ensure you practice in a location with enough clear space, such as a open field. You need to have 45 feet of open space in front and behind you if you are practicing 45 foot casts, and for this distance also ensure that you have 20 feet of space on either side of you. To be safe, it is a good idea to wear a hat and glasses/protective goggles. Ensure you use a yarn fly on your fly fishing line, which is a fly with no hook. It’s recommended to place targets (at specific distances) out in front of you, and you must attempt to hit these targets in your fly casting drills.
Overhead Cast
This is the most commonly used fly fishing casting technique, and most beginners should start using this technique. This technique has two sequences, the back cast, then the forward cast. With the back cast, you are lifting the fly line off the water in front of you, and up over your head until the fly line is behind you. Before the fly line touches the ground behind you, initiate the forward cast sequence. Bring the fly line back over the top of your head for the forward cast – the fly should land as near as possible to the target you were aiming for when you initiated the cast.
Roll Cast
The roll cast is used when you have obstructions behind you, such as bushes or trees, that prevent you from doing the back cast using the overhead casting technique. The roll cast technique is also handy in windy conditions, as it does not lift the fly line too high and expose it to the wind. To do a roll cast, slowly lift the rod up vertically to the one o’clock position just past your ear, and this effectively slides the line back on the water’s surface without lifting the line off the water. Do a firm forward cast once you are in this position – this will complete the cast.
For more information about saltwater fly fishing gear, take a look at the news feed for Fly Fishing Elite (Feedcat.net).
The Botfly in my Head
|
|
Fly Logic Fishing 6/ 7 Wt Rod Reel Case Tube Line Kit Combo New Tactics Book US $229.99 |
|
|
Wright & McGill Granger 2 pc STEELIE vintage fishing rod, 8-1/2′, ref # 041 $9.95 |
|
|
SCOTT G2844/4 8′ 4″ 4 wt NEW 4 pc fly fishing rod G2 844/4–FREE WORLD SHIPPING $725.00 |
|
|
3 pc split bamboo fly rod, unmarked, 8′ 2-5/8″, plastic reel seat, ref# 009 $9.95 |
|
|
Fly Logic Fishing 5/ 6 Wt Rod Reel Case Tube Line Kit Combo New Tactics Book US $199.99 |
|
|
Vintage Olympic 2 pc fly rod, split bamboo, 5′ 3-3/4″, rainbow wraps, ref# 007 $19.50 |
|
|
LOOP (NANO) CROSS S1 6 weight, 9′ 4 pc. New + MULTI 3-6 reel-Free Shipping! $865.95 |
|
|
NEW HARDY DELUXE LEATHER ROD TUBE ( 20″ x 2.5″) – OTHER LARGER SIZES AVAILABLE $98.19 |
|
|
St. Croix Avid 8’6″ 5 Weight ., 4 pc. Fly Rod, NEW! $260.00 |
|
|
Vintage Pemco Fly Rod Reel #85 Works Good, Vintage Fishing Gear, Perrine Mfg. Co $9.99 |
|
|
Sage Graphite III Salmon rod $76.00 |
|
|
Sage Flight 586-2, 5Wt 2Pc Fly Rod, NEW! FREE SHIPPING $300.00 |
|
|
Garcia Fly Fishing Tackle Rods Reels Line 1973 print Ad $9.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE 8 FT 1940′s MONTAGUE BAMBOO FLY FISHING FLYROD ROD SPORTS FISH 2pc OLD $34.55 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 3wt 7ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $249.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 4wt 8ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $295.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 4wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 5wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $425.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 9wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $449.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 10wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $449.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $349.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 7wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $349.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $375.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $395.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 7wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $395.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $425.00 |
|
|
Imperial Fly Fishing Switch Rod Blanks – St. Croix $139.90 |
|
|
Vintage Thompson Rod Eyelet Wrap Vise – fishing fly fishing $15.50 |
|
|
Winston BL5 Fly Fishing Rod – 9 foot 9 weight – 5 Piece – Excellent Condition $250.00 |
|
|
Sage VXP 386-4 8’6″ #3 Weight 4pc Fly Fishing Rod Free Ship Worldwide $484.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 696-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 6″ 6 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
Hand Crafted High Desert Bamboo Fly Rod made by Scott Nilsson $499.00 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 790-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 0″ 7 wt —–Free US Shipping $360.00 |
|
|
Vintage WONDER ROD Fly FIshing 3 Piece Cork Handle 8.5′ Good Condition! $9.99 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 370-4 fly fishing rod 7′ 0″ 3 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
Sportfisher Graphite Composite Fly Rod 2 Piece Popular Action 8.5′ RRSF86 $7.99 |
|
|
Eagle Claw Granger Graphite FlyRod Model GNG 300 8’6″ Parabolic Action BRAND NEW $21.50 |
|
|
TEMPLE FORK OUTFITTERS 8’6” 4 PIECE 5WT FLY ROD $53.00 |
|
|
Eagle Claw Crosswing Endurawrap Series FlyRod 8’6″ BRAND NEW $15.50 |
|
|
Close to My Heart D1342 WORLD’S BEST DAD ~ CANOE, ROD & REEL, BASKET, FISH, FLY $12.99 |
|
|
T.L. JOHNSON 9 foot / 4 weight / 4 piece FLY ROD $159.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 890-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 0″ 8 wt —–Free US Shipping $360.00 |
|
|
Partridge Of Redditch 3 Pc 8 Pf #6 $100.00 |
|
|
Fly Fishing Flannel Fabric Samples – Cream with Reels, Rods, and Flies ! Quilt ! $3.00 |
|
|
T.L. JOHNSON 9 foot / 8 weight / 4 piece FLY ROD $159.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 476-4 fly fishing rod 7′ 6″ 4 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
SCOTT G2904/4 9′ 4 wt NEW 4 pc fly fishing rod G2 904/4–FREE WORLD SHIPPING $725.00 |
|
|
Sage VXP 490-4 9′ #4 Weight 4pc Fly Fishing Rod Free Ship Worldwide $484.95 |
|
|
Fly Logic Fishing 6/ 7 Wt Rod Reel Case Tube Line Kit Combo New Tactics Book US $229.99 |
|
|
Wright & McGill Granger 2 pc STEELIE vintage fishing rod, 8-1/2′, ref # 041 $9.95 |
|
|
SCOTT G2844/4 8′ 4″ 4 wt NEW 4 pc fly fishing rod G2 844/4–FREE WORLD SHIPPING $725.00 |
|
|
3 pc split bamboo fly rod, unmarked, 8′ 2-5/8″, plastic reel seat, ref# 009 $9.95 |
|
|
Fly Logic Fishing 5/ 6 Wt Rod Reel Case Tube Line Kit Combo New Tactics Book US $199.99 |
|
|
Vintage Olympic 2 pc fly rod, split bamboo, 5′ 3-3/4″, rainbow wraps, ref# 007 $19.50 |
|
|
LOOP (NANO) CROSS S1 6 weight, 9′ 4 pc. New + MULTI 3-6 reel-Free Shipping! $865.95 |
|
|
NEW HARDY DELUXE LEATHER ROD TUBE ( 20″ x 2.5″) – OTHER LARGER SIZES AVAILABLE $98.19 |
|
|
St. Croix Avid 8’6″ 5 Weight ., 4 pc. Fly Rod, NEW! $260.00 |
|
|
Vintage Pemco Fly Rod Reel #85 Works Good, Vintage Fishing Gear, Perrine Mfg. Co $9.99 |
|
|
Sage Graphite III Salmon rod $76.00 |
|
|
Sage Flight 586-2, 5Wt 2Pc Fly Rod, NEW! FREE SHIPPING $300.00 |
|
|
Garcia Fly Fishing Tackle Rods Reels Line 1973 print Ad $9.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE 8 FT 1940′s MONTAGUE BAMBOO FLY FISHING FLYROD ROD SPORTS FISH 2pc OLD $34.55 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 3wt 7ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $249.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 4wt 8ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $295.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 4wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 5wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $325.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $425.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 9wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $449.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 10wt 9ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $449.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $349.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 7wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $349.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 9ft 6in 4pc Fly Rod $375.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 6wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $395.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 7wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $395.00 |
|
|
Hardy Uniqua 8wt 10ft 0in 4pc Fly Rod $425.00 |
|
|
Imperial Fly Fishing Switch Rod Blanks – St. Croix $139.90 |
|
|
Vintage Thompson Rod Eyelet Wrap Vise – fishing fly fishing $15.50 |
|
|
Winston BL5 Fly Fishing Rod – 9 foot 9 weight – 5 Piece – Excellent Condition $250.00 |
|
|
Sage VXP 386-4 8’6″ #3 Weight 4pc Fly Fishing Rod Free Ship Worldwide $484.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 696-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 6″ 6 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
Hand Crafted High Desert Bamboo Fly Rod made by Scott Nilsson $499.00 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 790-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 0″ 7 wt —–Free US Shipping $360.00 |
|
|
Vintage WONDER ROD Fly FIshing 3 Piece Cork Handle 8.5′ Good Condition! $9.99 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 370-4 fly fishing rod 7′ 0″ 3 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
Sportfisher Graphite Composite Fly Rod 2 Piece Popular Action 8.5′ RRSF86 $7.99 |
|
|
Eagle Claw Granger Graphite FlyRod Model GNG 300 8’6″ Parabolic Action BRAND NEW $21.50 |
|
|
TEMPLE FORK OUTFITTERS 8’6” 4 PIECE 5WT FLY ROD $53.00 |
|
|
Eagle Claw Crosswing Endurawrap Series FlyRod 8’6″ BRAND NEW $15.50 |
|
|
Close to My Heart D1342 WORLD’S BEST DAD ~ CANOE, ROD & REEL, BASKET, FISH, FLY $12.99 |
|
|
T.L. JOHNSON 9 foot / 4 weight / 4 piece FLY ROD $159.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 890-4 fly fishing rod 9′ 0″ 8 wt —–Free US Shipping $360.00 |
|
|
Partridge Of Redditch 3 Pc 8 Pf #6 $100.00 |
|
|
Fly Fishing Flannel Fabric Samples – Cream with Reels, Rods, and Flies ! Quilt ! $3.00 |
|
|
T.L. JOHNSON 9 foot / 8 weight / 4 piece FLY ROD $159.95 |
|
|
New SAGE Flight 476-4 fly fishing rod 7′ 6″ 4 wt —–Free US Shipping $350.00 |
|
|
SCOTT G2904/4 9′ 4 wt NEW 4 pc fly fishing rod G2 904/4–FREE WORLD SHIPPING $725.00 |
|
|
Sage VXP 490-4 9′ #4 Weight 4pc Fly Fishing Rod Free Ship Worldwide $484.95 |