Casting Practice "picking leaves"

Ok I am not a pro caster pro-procrastinator thats me..


But, one practice lesson that is excellent
to hone your skills is called picking leafs.


Heres how I do it:


Tilt your casting horizontal plane up in the front
and down in the rear. I like to start with a regular
cast and adjust the plane during the setup.



Pick a stop point and work out the estimated amount
of line you think you need , start short and adjust as your
false cast extends. Play out off the reel, you only want to
barely touch a chosen leaf on a bush or tree.


This is all about false casting and repositioning , extending
the amount of line as you cast.
I move about as I cast into the trees , starting high with a parachute
type cast and working low under the branches
and switch up.


This really helps to develop body and arm movement and angle during the cast.
Being able to change position and type of cast while your arm is in motion
has great advantage out on the water.
Knowing just when ,and how to stop the line in front while maintaining
control of the end of your leader will get you into those spots
under the banks cover. Where the big boys are :)


I would best describe it as drawing a mental picture in the air, swing high , swing low,
Be sure to only work the amount of line out that feels comfortable , be 15feet to start
and work out to 25 to 30.


Picking leaves with practice will give you the ability to change directions , temper the cast
and even alter the line speed to lay your fly and leader down like a thistle right on spot.
Swap it up as well , pick leaves on the backcast.


Your not really picking the leafs just touch em..
Once mastered casting in the wind becomes a breeze too. but I digress.


What say you ?


Fun stuff - sm

When I was a kid from 8 - 10 years old, one of my task that I enjoyed was driving the cow from the back pasture to the barnyard pen. My granddad (Pap) had bought a really nice smaller diameter bullwhip which I considered mine. I loved picking flower off the bitterweeds. Wanting to be another Lash LaRue I also would try to chase my brother and trip him with the whip. He was not usually willing to be the victim.

My flies find enough leaves and branches now, I'm not sure I want to develop muscle memory to hit the leaf. Also I was recently given permission to access a local pond, which I am told has fish in it.

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I'm not sure I want to develop muscle memory to hit the leaf

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My flies find enough leaves and branches now

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No for sure you don't .

Save the muscle memory for the mechanics of the cast , learning a crisp controlled stop will keep you from snagging
your fly in those tight places once on the water,
Practice picking leafs with a yarn tuff, no snags , in theory anyway :)

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a really nice smaller diameter bullwhip

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Thats the feel your looking for with the abrupt stop , without the snap , Bingo !

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I was recently given permission to access a local pond, which I am told has fish in it.

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What? Not even a polite invite , lucky you !

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Originally Posted by Steve Molcsan

What? Not even a polite invite , lucky you !

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I come from the land of 100,000 farm ponds. When I was a kid you could fish about everyone's ponds, because we all grew up in the country on farms and knew to close gates and gaps each time you went through them so the cows didn't get out. We knew how to go through barb wire fences without damaging them, etc. We knew to offer the owner a mess of fish and to thank him if we saw him or her coming or going or at church on Sunday. We also knew if we had permission and you took your buddy, too often they returned without you and brought their other buddy, who came back and brought his other buddy and the next thing you knew, you were no longer welcome.

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Thats the feel your looking for with the abrupt stop , without the snap

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To clarify my statement a little:

While this is the feel , certainly do not mistake the actual action of a bull whip
as many times a leader will snap during the cast this is not what you want, its the
feel of the stop of the whip and not the snap at the end, that I was alluding too.
If the whip comparison makes no sense to you please ignore it for now.

Instead think flicking paint off a paint brush, thats the abrupt stop component
part of the cast that you want to feel and learn.
Visualizing this and putting it to memory will go a long way
to forming good casting habits.

Hope this makes sense , could use a little help here folks...:)

Picking leaf practice has given me the ability
to estimate line and leader distance down to an Ants behind .
As well as control of my stop.

Giving a be advantage when I want to land a fly under
heavy cover along the stream bank.
Being able to land my offering right on the spot under cover where the
big boys lie is always a magically moment for me.

Use to be put off by heaver cover, not anymore.
I relish the challenge.


Its like casting on windy days , its a breeze when practiced.
Ah! casting on windy days, its all about loop control , but I digress.


Not everyone understands , thats why I come here,:)


Stay safe and have fun .

What the heck , this is fun and if your interested in becoming a better fly caster, give picking leaves a try. --> FYI- casting practice session tomorrow 2pm Idaho Falls --> meet at Jimmys All Seasons Anglers @ 1:30-- chime in if interested..I will be easy to spot , > I will be driving Harvey our fishing truck..--Bring your own rod or I would be happy to let you try one of mine,https://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/...5&d=1329281038Cheers - sm

Did not really expect anyone lurking on this site to join me today , it did turn out to be fun ,-got a few watching me cast on the grass and of course some asking if I was catching anything , :) --Used both my Winston 4 wg and the Sage 3wg , I am amazed at the interest of the young ones under 12years old, I could tell right off they could become very good at fly casting as they listened very carefully and gave it all they could as far a handling the rod. Showing the basics of the cast to these kids , today reenforced me to strive to be more patient as I setup for my casting on the river. - Its all so much fun! --> Cheers

Steve, there is always the hope for grass carp. Glad to hear that there were some younger people interested in what you were doing.You gave them a positive 'thought' about fly fishing that some time in the future that may grow into a desire to give it a go.sagefisher---Larry

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Originally Posted by sagefisher

Steve, there is always the hope for grass carp. Glad to hear that there were some younger people interested in what you were doing.You gave them a positive 'thought' about fly fishing that some time in the future that may grow into a desire to give it a go.sagefisher---Larry

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Yes sir , thats my inspiration and reason for becoming a full time trout bum its not even close to catching fish , 1st and foremost it is all about the game of stewardship and how much fun my way of thinking about fly-fishing can be.I know the main takeaway the kids got from me and for some here that do not know the meaning of Stewardship its all about: "the careful and responsible management of nature entrusted to our care?.down to the smallest aquatic insect.. They also know now to not complain just because its windy out, take advantage of it.Casting in the wind is a breeze.. Be safe

When I first started Fly Fishing in the early 80's, my mentor said I should have to register as a defoliant in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Once in Montana while fishing a river from the bank with trees close behind me, my wife asked me why I kept turning around and looking up into the trees. Those tree fish are really hungry sometimes.Larry ---sagefisher---

You should try practicing what was taught to me years, Roll cast when trees are behind and cast in the direction of the river..This method of picking leaves as I mention here is very effective and is instrumental with judging distance, I can cast very accurately since using this practice method. Able to stop short of a tree leave.. or more importantlyable to put the fly right in front a lake gulper at 40feet. How sweet it is.. Don't knock it till you try it. Joan Wulff writes about in her casting manual -> Fly Casting Techniques @1987 Page 217-- --The manual is a great reference for those that are inclined to become better at waving the wand. Take care !

Time to start brushing up with my casting.Picking leaves is one of the best ways to start.I cast directly into the trees stop short tons of fun,,,Been picking leaves for better than 15yers as one of my casting practice sessions , even on windy days with my 3 and 4 weight setups,Joan Wulff invented it. I am sure glad she did.. :)Tight lines to all ! ps- its not to help avoid getting hung up in trees behind once your out on the river , but it has for sure made me a more accurate caster and certainly good judge of my distance. Two things that give me satisfaction while out on the water! :)