Fishing has been a hobby or profession to many since the old stone age period. Especially, those of you who reside near the coastal regions might find fishing a very admirable job.
But before starting to learn this exciting hobby, you need to know that angling is not an easy task until you learn some basic principle and practice it as much as you can. You must know all the facts about its types and techniques, also which type of rod you should use in which condition.
Here you are going to find a specific process of fishing which I also think is the toughest technique, it is none other than Fly fishing.
Today we are going to talk about how to cast a fly rod like a professional.
What is Fly Fishing?
Fly fishing is a tilting technique that holds artificial flies to attract fish for capturing them. But its casting process is not as usual as other techniques for which it is a bit expensive. Also, you must require enough practice to adapt to it.
It is said that, when you are going for fishing upon a river above mountains or stream, just to experience the natural fact about fishing, fly rods will go best for you. Because once you learn the ideal process to cast a fly rod, you are likely to enjoy this even more.
How To Cast a Fly Rod?
Now that you have confirmed you own the essential things needed for casting a fly rod, you can prepare yourself for starting the process. As a beginner, you must remain alert while practicing every step. Here are some pointed out steps for you to learn distinctively.
Grip
Before casting a fly rod with your dominant hand, you must notify the manner of your grip. The way you held the fly rod should also be technical as the looping process depends on it. Now there are also many types of grips.
- Thumb on top: In this grip, When you have to cast your thumb remains on top of the rod and the other four fingers around the rod, holding the rod (let’s be comfortable). Renowned fly fishing expert Clay Robert labeled this grip as ‘The most powerful grip’ as our thumb is the strongest of all fingers and for this reason, it provides strength to the grip mostly.
- Finger on top: Here, the index finger is kept on the front part and rest holding around the cork. It is also a good grip for those who can adapt with it, also keep you safe from over-extending your wrist when you make a backcast.
- V grip / key grip: Here you hold the rod in such a way that it creates a V-shaped structure above the rod. It delivers power during stroke when it becomes easy for you to bend your hand.
Pulling fly line
After making sure you have a perfect grip, you need to draw the fly line up to about 20-25 feet (varies in different condition)towards you by using your non-dominant hand and put it under your feet, so that it doesn’t get to its previous place easily. Then, move your fly rod steadily to let the line get underwater bit by bit.
Types of the cast
Now that you have finally prepared the ultimate position for casting, you need to be sure which type of casting you are up for doing. Yes, there are also several types of casting. Let’s take a tour. Are you excited enough?
Backcast
From the basics, you must have already known that this casting method includes two landing locations, back, and front. What you have to basically do is stand at a specific position straight and move your dominant hand’s wrist back with slightly moving your forearm towards your shoulder.
The fly line must have gone behind your back already. Now do the same thing, but oppositely. Move your forearm back to its position by curving your wrist swiftly so that the fly line runs penetrating the air and land ahead of you. Make the line jump back and forth and make sure it is landing on the targeted space.
Roll cast
Next, you are about to learn the roll cast which is suitably used in water surfaces where rocks are plenty. Here you need to roll your fly line almost like the back cast, but this time the line remains under the water for the whole time.
Now you have to start this by preparing a key position at first. The key position defines a position where the fly line stays behind your back and your dominant hand holding the rod with the forearm making an angle with the upper arm.
Now keeping the angle steady, move your hand forward a bit and stop. After that give a swift gesture to your wrist moving forward so that the line rolls beside you making a D shape landing in front of you. This can be said as a forward stroke.
Tuck cast
Here you will cast your fly rod in the usual normal method, but just when your line touches the water in front of you, you surely have to lift the line slightly. In this way, the flies can get deeper underwater. Be careful while lifting the line. One aggressive lift can toss back the fly line towards you.
Pickup lay downcast
Its name confirms the pattern of its method. You must pull 30 feet of the fly line. Start with laying your line on top of the waterline and just imagine pick up and lay down a book. Do the pickup lay down the process with your fly rod by tossing your fly line back and forth.
Reach cast
Here, in order to fix your target, you need to notice the upstream. If your upstream is at your right, then y ou has to do a right reach cast. If it’s in your left, then a left reach cast is what you have to do.
When you will make the reach, you have to stop the fly line for some time and simply make it slide or shoot a little bit to the right or left of your position. This is also called mending. Make sure you have proper control of your rod so that the reach does not loosen up.
False cast
Usually, you create a false cast when you can see fishes jumping over water at a distant place from your position. So for accomplishing this casting method, all you have to do is cast the fly line back and forth in such a way that it does not touch the water. Make sure you have a tight grip to make a stronger loop. A powerful loop is needed in order to reach more distance to get grip on the fish.
Line control
You have finally caught a fish now. Now you must be very alert about your line control. So what is basically line control? The technique of managing your fly line while catching a fish is called line control. At the time of controlling the fly line, you have to jam or prevent the line from coming from the reel.
For this, you can either use your index finger or middle finger. Now gently, pull the string having proper control on your slack. And also put a tight grip on the rod, let the line fall on your feet. Finally, use a net to catch hold of the fish when it comes near the shore.
Things You Need to Cast a Fly
- Fly rod: The most necessary material you will need first is the main flying rod. If you are a starter, then a flying rod of 9 feet height and 5-6 weight will fit perfectly for you. Usually, the height and weight of a fly rod depend on the stream you are fishing on.
- Fly reel: The next equipment you must require for fly fishing is a standard fly reel. A fly reel is basically the holder of the rod which balances the fly line and backing and enhances your fishing rate. Remember to purchase a fly reel that goes perfectly with the weight of your fly rod.
- Flies: One fact you already know is that you will need something to trick and attract the fishes. Usually, for fly fishing, artificial flies like nymphs, streamers, or dry flies are purchased. You need to bind the flies with the hook and land them on the waterline while fishing.
- Fly line and backing: Fly line is the thin thread-like structure with which basically the flies are tied. Normally, it is 80-90 feet long. The backing is an extra line for protection which will save you if a big sized fish is caught on your line.
- Leader and Tippets: It is clung with the fly line which goes underwater when you make a round loop while casting a fly rod.
- Some other essentials:
- Fly box: Fly box is necessarily needed just to keep your artificial flies on as flies are tiny enough to get lost easily.
- Wader and wader boots: Wader and boots is a costume which is needed in emergency situations only, especially when you have to reach on the water surface for catching fish.
- Polaroid glasses: This type of glasses is used for protection reasons only. You will never want your eyes to get pricked while catching fishes using a fly.
- Hemostat: They are usually used for separating flies from your caught fish.
- Line nippers: It is used to cut the line and tippets with ease. Surely you would never want to waste your teeth.
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Closure
While reading this article, you should have got a clear idea about the procedures of fly fishing. But these steps can only be accomplished successfully when you will execute them in the practical field. Are you on for it?
Special thanks to flyfisherman
