Fly Fishing: Casting Basics 1

Fly fishing is all about casting and if you can’t adequately cast a fly line you might as well not fish, even with the best fly fishing tackle.

Even if you don't know where the fish lie but can cast well enough to cover all of the water with style, the chances are you’ll solve the mystery and start catching fish. But if you know where they lie and can’t reach them or present the fly naturally you are unlikely to have any success at all.

No doubt you will have seen people fly casting who just don't have a clue how to do it. The fly hits the water both in front and behind them. The rod travels in a half circle. Line, leader and fly all hit the water in at once, and all you get is a great big splash.  These people are just going to get frustrated, won’t be enjoying themselves are will probably just give up. Without the reward and recreation of casting well, you just won’t have a good time. And the recreation is what it’s all about, after all.

But you don’t have to ruin your fishing excursions with ineffectual casting. Read up on techniques, watch some video tutorials, get yourself a mentor you can show you the ropes (or lines, should I say). Remember the first rule: the rod has to stop to to make the line go.

Of course you can always take a class, and the training you get there will save you a lot of heartache later.

In fly fishing, the cast is a bit like The Force in Star Wars….you need to give yourself up to in in a relaxed manner and you will achieve success.