casting for a beginner?

[craiga]

I've just started fly fishing, and i seem to be somewhat getting the hang of casting but the problem i'm having is that when i cast a popper or anything weighing more than a dry fly i get the leader to lay almost perfect, but when i cast a dry fly or any tiny fly the leader doesn't lay but just bunches up as it hits on the water. Now is this cause i have to heavy a leader and need to use a lighter leader for the less heavy flys or what could this possibly be from, thats all i could come up with. thank you

craig

[flyandtie]

not stopping hard enough on the forward cast is usually the symptom of what you are describing.

[Gramps]

You also need to feed a little line near the end of the cast. Otherwise the line stops in the air and falls in a pile.

The popper is heavier and helps keep the leader straight. A dry fly won't do that.

[J Castwell]

You might try a lighter leader. Something like a nine foot, five X; maybe with a two foot piece of 5X tippet tied to the end of the leader. No point in messing up a new leader; (that is what tippet is for!)

Oh ya,,, stop your rod kinda hard on the front cast, it might help roll things a little better.

[TyroneFly]

Things to consider:

Hook size should generally match your tippet size,
Leader/tippet length,
Length of casting stroke determined by distance to target (this is different for each individual),
Smooth exceleration of rod (building up stored energy),
Stop the rod COMPLETELY,
Wind.

[craiga]

thank you for the help, try some of tips this weekend.

craig

[J Castwell]

What the heck, even this might help...

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst3498.html

Really.

[GBurgFisher]

No, no, that totally helps. I used that when I was teaching someone the other week! Except it was my hand...not their own. Really got the concept across for them. I would highly suggest trying those steps.

[Jeremy]

craig,
Maybe aim your cast a bit higher?

Hard to understand in words, just how you're doing...

Your fly/leader needs to fully straighten out before the line drops to the water, followed by the fly.

Above all, don't allow yourself to get frustrated. This wonderful trip is just beginning for you. It will come together soon.

And, a lesson from an experienced helper will get you on the right track too.

Jeremy.

[TyroneFly]

What the heck, even this might help...

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst3498.html

Really.

Wadda u mean it might help? Of course it will. This lesson is what did it for me. About 5 years ago I went to Mel Krieger Day and learned a lot, but my casting still did not have the consistent punch I needed to turn a fly over and lay my line out completely. I returned the following year to Mel's Day and while I improved a bit, it wasn't until I read JC's casting lesson that it all came together. With JC's lesson I retured for my 3rd Mel Day and Mel walked up to me and said what an improvement!

craiga,

You owe it to yourself to give that lesson a try. It really will make a difference.