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CASTING - PAGE 2
(Go back to Casting page 1)
Get a grip
Just as in other sports--like tennis and golf--the way you hold the equipment is crucial. In fact, the way you grip a fly rod is similar to how you hold a tennis racket during a forehand swing, and the position of the lower hand on a golf club.
Place your thumb straight along the shaft, so it's flat against the top. Grip the shaft with your pinkie, ring, and middle fingers to support the fishing rod's weight. Your index finger should extend past the thumb along the side of the shaft, lightly wrapping around the shaft's back for extra stability. Keep this finger movable, though, as you'll use it to maneuver the fishing line later in the cast.
Work out some line
To prevent accidental snagging, practice with a piece of yarn tied to the end of your line; you don't need much, just a small piece that approximates the size and weight of a man-made fly. Put it into the water by turning the reel in a clockwise direction until about 15 feet (4.5 metres) of line is floating right in front of you. Keep the elbow of your rod side straight, and the rod's tip pointed down diagonally toward the water at a 45-degree angle.
Vibrate the rod back and forth in small, quick movements to work the line out into the water current. You can also jostle it up and down. The idea is to get the line spread out in front of you. To foster this, you can also take a step or two backward. With the middle finger of your casting hand, catch the line closest to the reel against the rod handle. This will provide more control when you cast.
Note: The amount of line you let out depends on how far you want to cast and what's situated behind you. For example, if there's a tree 15 feet (4.5 metres) directly behind you, don't let out 20 feet (6 metres) or so of line.
Lift and spring the rod
With your rod-side elbow straight, extend your arm out fully and point the rod slightly down toward the water at a 45-degree angle. Bending your elbow, lift the rod slowly back until your thumb is just above your ear and the rod's tip is at a 45-degree angle behind your head. Leave a space of about a foot (30 centimeters) between the rod and your head to prevent getting in the way of the line.
Once the rod is at its highest position and all the line feeding off it is behind you, hesitate for a moment. Release the line caught between your middle finger and the rod, then snap your arm forward as if you're throwing a dart. Use your thumb like a lever to push and guide the rod forward. The line should spring above the water in an oval-shaped arc and land gently upon its surface. Your rod-hand elbow should end up straight, with the rod's tip pointed slightly down, diagonally toward the water.Once the rod is at its highest position and all the line feeding off it is behind you, hesitate for a moment. Release the line caught between your middle finger and the rod, then snap your arm forward as if you're throwing a dart. Use your thumb like a lever to push and guide the rod forward. The line should spring above the water in an oval-shaped arc and land gently upon its surface. Your rod-hand elbow should end up straight, with the rod's tip pointed slightly down, diagonally toward the water.
