Practice casting on a windy day

[Steve Molcsan]

Get a good understanding of how to setup for the cast, its a great way to learn the feel of a tight front loopthe more pointed the better the cut into the wind. Shape and line speed is all you need , Think bow and arrowsame principle. its a breeze , once learned ,, and so much fun !

[Steve Molcsan]

I'm talking a cast directly into a fairly good breeze
and being able to land the fly right where you expect it
fall.
That nice V shape delivery some of you fellows know the feeling.


Easy you bet;
When casting into the wind , the mind setup is large loop to the
rear, ( think beach-ball ) with a small loop in the front ( think golf-ball )

The wind blowing at you will aid with the formation of the rear loop no need to haul
but, a short haul on the front stroke lets the line speed do the work and
deliver the fly to the bullseye. BAM!

Loop control and line speed is what you need, like riding a bike..
I guarantee it - sm

[Steve Molcsan]

Hello. that would be me in the cowhide vest

[sagefisher]

Any time you fly fish on the Yakima River in eastern WA you are practice casting in the wind. Up to 40 mph but usually around 15 to 30 mph.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[Steve Molcsan]

Funny you mention Eastern WA as I lived in the Tri-Cities working for westinghouse.
Plenty of wind casting on the Colombia River for sure.

Its a good skill to learn.

[JohnScott]

.... errr, make that choose your position.

Any hour of any day of any year in SE Idaho, the wind can come up the Snake River Plain from the SW unobstructed and at speed. Breezes in excess of 25 mph are normal, with 35 mph winds kind of still in the so what category.

Fly angling in those kinds of winds makes it much more sensible to learn how to position yourself to make the wind your friend than to spend time and effort learning to cast well into that kind of wind.

It's about choosing which section of the river to fish, oftentimes finding water sheltered by terrain or riparian growth to eliminate the wind as a factor.

Or choosing which section of the river is in a direction or which side of the river favors the wind to aid the cast rather than ruin it.

Great casting is just that - great. But then again, developing strategy to get it done is also quite rewarding.

John

[Steve Molcsan]

make that choose your position.

Of course , your absolutely correct once on the water ,
and if there is a wind blowing use it to ones advantage.


But, practicing your casts directly into the wind will give you confidence in about
any windy scenario you could run into on the water, especially from a drift boat,
Had a fellow tell me once he was not going out as it was too windy , say what?


I always say "The wind is my friend" as it hides my faults that the fish
would otherwise pickup on?

Practice casting into the wind is all part of developing a good strategy
once on the water, and as John says "quite rewarding". IMO.

Cheers all!

Be safe

[JohnScott]

... all of my fishing is with a 4 or 5 wt rod, a 4 wt line, a 5 foot thread furled leader, and about 3-4 feet of 4X tippet to cast a large hopper or stonefly pattern.

No amount of practice will solve the difficulty of fishing that set up in anything more than a gentle breeze.

Strategy is not an option fishing that rig in the wind - it is a requirement.

John

[Steve Molcsan]

--I was very fortunate to take a few casting lessons from Bob Jacklin up in West Yellowstone on Sunday nights. -- A true gentlemen.-- I sure miss those times--but the memories are golden to reflect upon.-Thanks a million Bob ! ---- Check out his catch of a lifetime here -->>. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10154234015037750