Saltwater fly casting is different than standing in a mountain stream using a 3 or 4 wt outfit. In the salt, flies are bigger, rods are bigger and heavier, lines are heavier and the wind often blows. Similar to some trout fishing situations, sight fishing also requires stealthy accurate casts made from a variety of angles and planes. The ability to control and make a variety of presentations is also a big advantage. And then there are the weighted flies that will challenge even the best casters. All of this is what makes fly fishing in saltwater a blast.
I am not an expert Master level fly caster. With that said, I am pretty good and I practice nearly everyday. I also bring a unique perspective to fly casting because my approach is founded in my experiences as a pretty good golfer.
The focus of this blog will be more towards the intermediate or advanced beginner level caster. There is a lot of good information available to the new caster plus a host of certified casting instructors who can do a better job helping the entry level caster than I.
The thoughts I will pass along in this blog are not cut in stone, rather, they are merely ideas for you to try. Once you have the basics of casting down, and know the rules of fly casting, you are free and encouraged to develop your own feels and styles.
These are my version of the rules of fly casting. 1. STP-straight tip path. In order to make a controllable cast, unless throwing an intentional curve, the tip must travel in a relatively straight line both horizontally and vertically. 2. Rhythm. The stroke begins slowly, gradually picking up speed until making a quick acceleration and stop at the end of the stroke. 3. Timing. Where the quick acceleration and stop take place is critical. Too soon and you get a tailing loop and tangle. Tool late and you throw the line downward. 4. Double haul. The double haul is a skill required to be a decent saltwater fly fisherman.
Most sight cast solutions are 60 ft and under but, as in other sports, power has its advantages. Power offers the ability to control the speed of the landing, which is also very important in sight fishing situations. Too much speed equals a loud landing and a spooked fish. A fisherman maxing out distance to reach a target loses control of the presentation.
Some topics to come include:
Casting in the wind
Casting with a wind in from throwing shoulder
Using haul for tight loops
Casting heavy flies
Casting from different arm angles
The upside down loop
Quiet vs loud presentation
The quick cast
The long cast
Sidearm options (4)
Casting with shoulder arthritis
Casting the 12 weight rod
How to change the loop orientation
The curve cast
And More............
I look forward to sharing some of my thoughts with you with the hope you can find some useful tidbits.
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