Random Casting Tips

[aztightlines]

A slow day at the shop, I notice there have been no Tightloops threads for some time, so just want to throw these out at you (no pun intended).
Think of the rod as beginning at the point of your elbow: the forearm is part of the rod. Imagine a hinge in the middle of the rod: that is what you are doing (to this marvelously designed and constructed piece of equipment) when you break the wrist backward - putting a hinge in the flexing rod.
You WILL use wrist - it is not realistic to say "don't use your wrist." My mentor and friend Tom White says that beginners should use a minimum of wrist, experts use a lot of wrist. You ROLL the wrist open and close it again. That is how you reach straight back with the rod tip, if necessary, and cast a long line: roll the wrist open on the backcast, close it as you come forward.
It just occurred to me weeks ago, as I rolled my wrist open , how comfortable and easy - natural - that motion was, and how often we do things (stressing our joints in the process) against the way our body is constructed. It hurts to contort your wrist straight backward - that is one of the moves in Krav Magda, or whatever they call that martial arts thing invented buy an old man from Israel, to control an assailant: bend the wrist straight back. It hurts like hell, why would we willingly do that to our body and call it fun?
Another tip: use the "big muscles" in your arm - take it easy on the smaller ones. You will feel the difference after a day of casting, make less commotion, do less false casting. Become a better flyfisher in the process.
p.s. I intended this as a subject for discussion, not Words From On High, so please feel free to respond: add to the subject, disagree, whatever.
Thanks, Rod

[On The Fly!]

100 years ago, my Grandfather threatened to break my wrist so I would get a cast and then I could properly learn the art of Flycasting. I think he did break my Fathers arm! today, I'm all wrist and I do OK. my boys break wrist as well and are both majicians with flyrods. whenever I fish with them, I often just sit down and watch in awe at the absolute unhurried calm beauty of tight loops. it truly is an artform and should be discussed on TIGHTLOOPS.

Don :)

[Green Weenie]

I once tried to calculate the number of casts made in a day fishing the walk-in at the Ferry. I figured in the given slots I fished and the current speed I got about a 20 second drift before repositioning the fly. With a double nymph rig, split shot and an indicator, it took a couple roll casts and several conventional casts to get the fly back into position at the top of the drift. 5 casts for each drift thru a run. Multiply that by the number of drifts in an hour and then by an average 8+ hour day of fishing. My conservative estimate was between 1500-2000 casts in a day!
Moral: if you're doing something wrong...somethings going to hurt!

Now wrists..some can cast extremely well using a basic wrist cast. But wrist casters become arm casters when they start trying for distance. I can cast 40' just fine with just wrist. But at 50 up, everything must change!!! I'll bet our buddy Don, "On the Fly", uses more than just wrist when casting that 8wt. for those Ashurst Pike in a head wind!!!!

[pheasanttail65]

I have nothing to add to the casting part since I'm a beginner. I do like the thread though I would go out and try it right now but it is dark out. My neighbors already look at me funny when I cast to hula hoops. Casting at 9:30 in the dark I would be committed.
But the art you was talking about is Aikido. The art that Steven Segal pratice if that is what you are thinking of. It was invited by Morihei Ueshiba from Japan. We used it when I was a Corrections Officer. It uses alot of wrist bending and the other persons motion. Just my 2 cents but thank you for explain the casting to me.

[pheasanttail65]

Ok send me to the rubber room I had to try it. So I just went ouside and tried it the way you explained it. It worked out great for me at 10:30 pm. Now to do it on the lake or stream is another story.

[aztightlines]

We would probably all seem to qualify for the "rubber room" if the average person was privy to how much time and energy we devote to flyfishing - shrinks would have some variety of Personality Disorder set aside just for us, if there weren't so many analysts hooked themselves.
As Chuck pointed out, a flick of the wrist is fine for up-close casting, but when you try to extend your cast, you find yourself severely limited, and maybe in pain.
I have watched guys from the Keys, Bahamas, Yucutan who are used to poling flats boats around and are massively strong, manage to muscle the line out extraordinary distances at the Trade Show - impressive, but I am more impressed by the Joan Wulff's and Nick Curcione's, who use a MINIMUM of effort. They waste nothing, put forth power at precisely the correct instant and get the same thing done with seemingly half the effort.
I believe, I know, that the fish appreciate the minimal falsecasting and disturbance in their world. We have all seen them quit feeding the minute we start to cast, maybe just move away further, perhaps flee like the devil was chasing them.
Sometimes it doesn't matter if we slap the fly on the water, but often it does matter.

[pheasanttail65]

I thank you again went out this morning and gave it a shot. My casting is getting much better and more accurate. I'm going to hit Goldwater tonight and try it.

[aztightlines]

That is awesome. If you work on casting, you will get better - simple as that.
It is not a 1:1 relationship, great casting: great flyfishing, I know, but all things being equal you will be a better flyfisher as your casting improves.

[Green Weenie]

Practice won't make you perfect, but it Will make you better!

[Dub]

AZTL....I tell students the exact same thing. The end of the rod is your elbow. It is surely the number one error with beginning casters...breaking the wrist. I always explain to them that if they can achieve tight loops, they have learned the #1 function of fly casting. Everyone wants to throw the whole line at the get go. The distance will come later, but it will NEVER come without tight loops. As much as I am a nut for flies and different patterns...if you can't present the fly to the fish in a lifelike manner you're not going to catch him.....especially the big ones. What I mean by that is turning the fly over and not spooking everything within twenty feet. I just wish I had the discipline to practice more. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to that.

dub

[aztightlines]

Thanks, John, we are getting some high voltage information now. I am always listening, when it comes to casting, serching for new ways to explain things.
Our brains all work a little different - some poets, some engineers - and certain phrase seem to ring bells and we get it. The "Geschtalt."

[Beginner Fly Fisher]

does anyone know where i can get casting lessons

[Josho]

does anyone know where i can get casting lessons

http://www.azflyfishing.com/
(480) 730-6808 Bus

Another option would be to hook up with some of the local clubs like the Desert Fly Casters.

Josh