Originally Posted by
GaryO
I took the casting class at BPS a couple of weeks ago. Last night I went fishing for the first time. Here's what happens; I get the line in the air pretty well with a series of false casts, with line out there pretty well and far. However, when I actually cast, the line and leader fall out of the sky about 15 feet in front of me in a wad on the water. Seems to me no matter what I try I can't get the fly out there where I want it where the fish are. What say you? Thanks...
Hi Gary, first let me say what you wrote here makes perfect sense to me coming from a beginner your doing what you believe you were told to do. And your doing what you were told to do as you understand what it was you were told. So naturally when it doesn't work it can be and is confusing. Ok so whats really happening here in your case, you say the false casting is going along relitively smoothly till you go to present the fly. That is what your trying to do after all is present a fly. Not cast it, which is what you were told but reather present it. Whats the difference you say, glad you ask that shows your realy wanting to understand. Youve pretty much already told me you know what casting means to you, a hard forward thrusting motion of the rod with intent to propel the fly to the hinder land. But is that presenting a fly. If I were to task you with presenting an award to friend Joe, would you holler "Hay Joe heads up", and sling the plaque friesbe like across the room, or would you calmly walk up to Joe and make a dignified presentation to friend Joe. Just as I thought you seem a civilized sort and of course you want to not embarrass Joe or risk knocking his teeth out. So too you want to make a dignified presentation of the fly. Now for the good stuff. You got this false casting stuff going on and the arm is coming up and the shoulder is tensing up and rising then you finely cast. Tiger Woods doesn't swing that hard, that's not presenting that's casting. Your going relax that shoulder drop the arm slightely, looking forward draw the rod with only as much effort as is nessary to present the line it to its capable length. As the loop passes the rod tip your going to start dropping the tip to its ready fishing position. If your not watching the fly fall softly from the sky to toward the water with the line fully extended it is perhaps that you were looking down at the target area. Target fixation at this stage can contribute to over powering and by rushing the draw of the rod over energizing the line which may cause it to fully exend and then recoil ending up in a tangle pile befor you. Or you could be over drawing the rod delaying the stop of the rod and mearly throwing the line in a pile befor ya. Less likely but still within the relm of possiable.
Capt. Paul Darby Dont wait to be ask, get out and teach.