Fly Casting - The Overhead Cast
Jason Travis
The overhead cast is the most basic fly cast. Learn to execute
it well and you will be able to easily adapt the skill to the
side cast and backhand casting.
Good casting starts with learning to grip a fly rod correctly
and adopting the right stance to maintain comfort and balance.
Gripping the Fly Rod
The normal grip is with the thumb on top and slightly to the
left of center (assuming a right-handed grip) so that the ‘V’
between the thumb and the index finger is in line with the top
of the rod. Your grip should feel comfortable and firm - but
not tight. Your rod and reel only weigh a few ounces, so it
won’t require a death grip to contol it.
If you prefer, placing the thumb directly on top of the rod is
acceptable, and you might find this useful if extra force is
needed on the forward cast. Another variation is sometimes used
for accuracy when casting short distances, or just as a “change
up” to relieve fatigue during a long day of fishing. Instead of
placing the thumb on top of the rod, try shifting the index
finger around so that it lies along the top of the rod instead.
Fly Casting Stance
The correct stance is important to maintain comfort and
balance. It’s very easy to lose your balance when trying to get
the most distance out of your cast, or to lose your footing on
the loose, water polished rocks in the bed of a stream.
The proper fly casting stance is to lead with the foot on the
same side as your casting arm (i.e. right foot forward for a
right-handed caster). Your feet should be set approximately at
shoulder width for balance and stability. This will allow you
to easily transfer body weight from one foot to the other
during the cast.
Casting
Start the cast with the fly rod extended horizontally in front
of you with your forearm and the rod in a straight line, and
the line straight. Accelerate smoothly in an upward direction
making sure that the rod tip stops just short of vertical (the
“12 o’clock” postion) so that the line will project backwards
above the horizontal plane. In other words, the line will still
be rising as it continues backward. If you go beyond vertical
before stopping the back cast, the line will go downwards! A
precise stop causes the rod energy is to be transferred to the
line, and catapults it through the air.
Once you have stopped the back cast, pause so that the line
reaches full extension above and behind you. Once you begin the
forward cast, accelerate the the rod forward smoothly and stop
the forward movement when the rod is at approximately the “10
o’clock” position. The line will project forward and straighten
as it falls towards the water. Follow through with the rod to
ensure that it lands taut, straight and softly.
Note that the vertical plane has been used for this discussion.
That’s why this method is called the overhead cast. The line
flies overhead and over the rod tip. The same can be done in
any plane to make straight line casts. Once you have mastered
the overhead cast, you can apply the same techniques using the
horizontal plane to keep the line low and avoid obstacles; or
cross your body on the back cast, bringing the right hand
toward the left shoulder in an off-vertical plane for a
backhand cast.
About The Author: Jason Travis provides fly fishing tips,
advice, and a free course from his web site, My Secret Stream,
at http://MySecretStream.com
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