How to Fly Fish

Fly fishing is like so many things done well – it isn’t really difficult but a certain degree of finesse can make a difference between spending a fine but ho-hum afternoon fishing and an exciting, productive day on the water. Knowing when to stop can be as important as knowing when to go.

At a glance, a basic cast seems to be one big motion, starting with the rod in hand and in front of the body followed by a backward motion above the head and over the shoulder. Next comes the forward motion that takes the fly from the air behind the angler’s head to the surface of the water. If it were possible to see the entire movement as a letter being written in the air, think of it as the letter “C.”

Successful fly fishing relies on successful casting and that’s a little more complicated than merely tracing a letter in the air, though. There are some strategic spots along the way that ensure success. Steps 2 and 3 below describe the strategic stopping points to pay attention to.

Step #1 – The Pick Up – This step covers the time and distance between picking up the fly rod and beginning the cast. Hold the rod in position with the dominant hand, keeping it parallel to the ground and to the side of the body. Raise the arm up and toward the shoulder in one smooth motion. The cast should be in full swing by the time the arm is at a 45-degree angle from the starting point parallel to the ground.

Step #2 – The Back cast – Continue the upward motion until the arm passes the head and extends over and behind the angler. Go no further than about 45 degrees beyond the angler’s head. The arc created in this motion should be about as far behind the angler as it was in front when the pick-up step (#1) ended.

Bring the rod to a complete stop before casting forward (step #3). Don’t stop long enough to lose momentum but just long enough for a clean, distinct change of direction.

Step #3 – The Forward Cast – Flick the rod forward toward the water using nothing more than a twist of the wrist. Expect to feel a bend in the rod when backward motion changes to forward. This bend signals energy loaded into the rod but don’t confuse energy in the rod with human motion or strength. For a well-loaded rod, energy requires good timing, not brute strength or speed.

Step #4 – The Lay Down – Once the forward cast has brought the rod over the shoulder again, release it with a quick and sure but gentle end of the cast. Thefly lure will then glide through the air and land on target just like a flying insect would do.

The casting loop (the C) formed during steps 2 and 3 is created by the stop and start motions at the ends of both these steps. It’s here that knowing when to stop is important. When the rod flexes at the end of both steps 2 and 3, it releases the kinetic energy stored in the rod; this energy propels the fly through the air and onto the water. Speed, distance, and accuracy are all created here, with just the flick of a wrist.

Basic casting involves just four simple steps. Practice these casting positions at home before hitting the water but please do allow some time on the water simply perfecting the cast, without worrying too much about catching something right away. The catching part will take care of itself when the time is right.