I seem to have hit a wall at about 60+ feet…[with 5wt and 6wt rods]…[WF lines]…I think I can throw a good loop…[not always consistently]…and I think the double haul is not too bad but I suppose could be better.
Is there such a thing as “hitting the wall” in fly casting…where everything has to be almost perfect to gain more distance?
I see these videos where 90ft of line is shot seemingly effortlessly…a thing of beauty
Unfortunately there’s no one around here that can help me…it’s getting frustrating…
I enjoy casting for casting’s sake so we don’t need to get into all the stuff about where to catch fish… and yes accuracy is part of casting…etc.
Anyone have any suggestions … I feel like I’m just wasting time.
Short of that, try the 6 wt line on the 5 wt rod for starters. You never know. Reason I say is I used to stick with line wt recommendations but I got my spools mixed up and wound up with a 4wt line on a 3wt Sage. Z claims I was casting 90 ft at Rocky Ford Creek. I do know the Sage loaded much easier with the 4wt than with the 3wt.
got a camcorder / digital video recorder … set it up where your fly line would have a good contrast to the background. And have at it.
I know what you mean on the brick wall though. I touch 80ft with the 9wt and … kaplooie - nada foot more. Even marking the fly line and shooting line past the 80 mark - Uh-Uh.
I think part of it is mental (floor’s open there) - the other part, I haven’t figgured out.
I target a hoola-hoop, a tree stump, between sticks, around sticks,and under a 2x4 about 3ft off the ground. Might look silly to some - but then again, I hardly notice if anyone is watching.
That wall is a good thing. Fondly remembered as you approach the next one… and the one after that… and after that…!
Really, in almost everything done that requires effort or practice, the walls come and when you surpass them you’re on to the next level! If that wall hangs around too long though seek out a coach!
What have you been trying, to bust thru this imaginery wall, other than just getting fustrated. Have you checked your grip, have you tryed to hold a bit more line in the air. Perhaps your throwing too hard thinking that is whats called for to throw a longer line. Have you gone back to the basics in an effort to find were your over looking some small piece of the puzzle that isnt working for you. Personaly I dont think your going to find the answer at 60 ft; its more likely your going to find the answer at between 25 and 40ft. I say that because thats were your less likely to be intimadated and thus more relaxed and able to concentrate on the small details. Its easier to work on loop control, experiment with timeing an gain better feel of the double haul. Without ever haveing seen or spoken to you, I bet you added the double haul without makeing much change to your rod speed, loop design, or general over all stroke pattern. Thoes little details are were walls come from. Which arent walls at all but reather more like post-it notes reminding you that the way forward maybe to back up and get a better perspective on the road ahead.
good question. The other day I bonked out some 80 foot casts for the very first time. This was on the McKenzie. I always cast better with my Scott A 6 wt., but that day was special. I am thinking of buying more of these rods in different weights and selling my other non-Scott rods. So, it might be the rod that suits me just so because I cast better with it than any of my others. Also, I am hesitating on the backstroke just a bit more and I can feel the rod load when I bring it forward.
Casting NINETY Feet At Rocky Ford?
It’s only SIX feet across!!
You weren’t casting to a Sage Grouse were you?
I’m just joking of course, I know there are some wide places.
If Ducksterman is coming to your house then I’ll hitch a ride with him so I can see your Otter.
Thanks,
Doug
Duck
I think we all “hit the wall” when we learn a new physical skill. You stated you don’t consistantly cast a nice tight loop. Keep practicing and get that loop consistant then add the Double Haul without a good loop your double haul is adding speed to mistakes. Get the loop the best you can then practice adding the haul you’ll see results.Try hanging a hoola hoop from a tree and instead of casting at it as a target practice casting your loop through it that might help tighten you up.Also if your trying to hold 40-50’ of line out of the tip of the rod try going down 1 line size instead of up.Remember a rod is rated for a 30’ length of line
Now I need to ask where are you fishing that you need to cast more than 60’ with 5 wt gear to catch fish.
I’m :oops: …I forgot to put in the link…but I got some good responses from both coasts just by bumping …Capt. Paul… I’m going back…Gardenfish maybe you are letting the backcast straighten out…Doug :idea:
There are only 3 things that effect the distance you cast. loop shape line speed and shock (all the little dido we put in the line by not haveing a smooth acceleration) if your cast is smooth and your loop is good you simply need more speed. just like a gun, want to shoot flater and farther add more powder. (Steve Rayjeff can curl a mack truck with his right arm)
Where does loading the rod fit in?
Here’s a quote I read…
“The most distance and power you?ll ever add to your cast will come through refining your basic casting stroke: learning to load and unload the rod properly, learning to form tight loops, and lengthening your casting stroke when you?re casting distance. A caster who?s refined these three elements and developed a solid basic stroke can deliver a fly 80 or more feet using his or her rod arm alone.”
I’m thinking it’s semantics,Rich, but as I pursue this stuff more…I’ve seen the point made that loading the rod is the issue more than line speed…seems to me that the more you load the rod the more line speed you get.
If that were the case by using a 10 weight line on a 5 or 6 weight rod would be the answer as it will add a lot more load to the rod. line speed will automaticly add load. and hence(given the rest is in tact loop and shock) the more line speed/load you have the longer the cast. this works up to the point you overload the rod with line speed/load then you reduce line weight and add speed/load and so on. if you want to carry 70 ft. of line in the air reduce the line weight so the rod will be properly loaded with that amount of weight. or you can be damm glad you can cast 60 ft.and forget all of this. LOLOLOL
Your post reminds me of a story. A friend of mine, who was, and still is, a great saltwater fisherman moved down to the Keys and started guiding a few years ago. A lot of his clients were beginners and I asked him if he was getting hooked a lot on their back casts.
With a straight face he said, “Nah. Most of my clients can’t reach me”. And he was poling a 16 foot flats skiff at the time…
Regards,
Peregrines
PS As to your wall, I agree it may help to slow down a little and take a look at how tight your loops are at 40 feet. Casting through a Hula Hoop sounds like a really neat idea.
With more line out you’lll have to wait a little extra to have the backcast straighten out. If you’re right handed, stepping back with your right foot and looking over your shoulder at your back cast may help to see if you’re waiting long enough, throwing too high or low, drifting the rod back immediately prior to the forward stroke etc. I’ve noticed I have a tendancy to try and really rip the last cast to get more distance, and things go to hell real quickly whenever I do. You’ll know if you’re doing this if you feel your previous false cast felt like it would have gone further if you shot it.
Another way to work on technique is to get to the same distance with fewer false casts. As Tom mentioned, trying to hold more than 30 feet of line starts to overload the rod. Try laying out 20 feet in front of you and getting as far as you can with one back cast without double hauling. Then add the double haul. Then go up to 20 feet out in front with two back casts without the double haul etc. This may help you get the loops tighter,get greater line speed and help with the timing and feel of the double haul. Good luck.
