Bryan,

Adding a little weight to the fly that you are trying to cast is usually a very humbling experience to most anglers until you get the hang of it. Even those of us who have gotten use to it end up with a Clouser bruise somewhere on our body from time to time. That's where the pirate noise, AAARRRRGGGGGHHHH, comes from from---a good shot between the shoulder blades with a large Clouser. Fortunately, the hook doesn't seem to dig in very often.

You've gotten very good advice so far from everyone. I would define move to a larger rod for a start or use a lighter Clouser with beadchain eyes instead of lead ones. Try openning your loop more by swinging the rod in a larger arch. Use less force particularly on your backcast and don't try to throw the Clouser 80 feet when you are first learning---generally referred to as the "chuck and duck." Slow down your timing and wait until you feel not only the rod loading but the Clouser give that little extra pull on the backcast. The good news is that once you get the hang of it, you can really chuck a Clouser a long way. Start slowly maybe casting 20-30 feet and hang in there. 8T

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You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it's a real short camping season.




[This message has been edited by Eight Thumbs (edited 16 June 2006).]