I know I do it wrong, but does anyone but me use the Dick Tracy grip, fly casting? Index finger extended rather than thumb up. Should I change?
Thanks
Dave Winters
- You can probably get away with with light fly rods,but would not tanslate well into heavier fly rods If you want to expand your flyfishing to bigger fish or saltwater in the future. I would suggest you learn to cast thumb on top so you make it easier to broaden your horizens in the future.
You really did not give much information. I am assuming you are a newbie. Of course my statements are just my opinion
Not a newbie, just an old fart stuck in his ways. But always open to suggestions for improvement. Self taught 33 years ago, I have never casted a rod heavier than a 6 weight. Mostly on 5 weights, mostly on high country alpine lakes, from shore.
I use that grip on my 1-3wt fly rods. I get greater accuracy, especially when working a tight lie (I think it was JC who suggested that to me at the Michigan FI). It puts the fly on the line I want it. As okflyfisher stated, I still use my thumb on my heavier rods.
Joe
[quote=“Joe_Valencic”]
I use that grip on my 1-3wt fly rods. I get greater accuracy, especially when working a tight lie (I think it was JC who suggested that to me at the Michigan FI). It puts the fly on the line I want it. As okflyfisher stated, I still use my thumb on my heavier rods.
Joe[/quote]
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- same here
- same here
I’ve never heard it called a Dick Tracy grip. What’s that about? I’ve always associated it with Lee Wulff. I use it once in a blue moon when my casting gets sloppy. I don’t know why, but it seems to tighten up my loop.
In golf we call it an old man’s grip :shock:
I’m with Joe and Chris, but I switch to the thumb grip at 5 wt on up. I had good results for accuracy with the 4 wt but distance was not it’s forte.
When I go for distance the “dick tracy grip” gets thrown out the window with any rod and some nice double hauls later and I’m shooting the line off!!
Wow, thanks for all the responses!
The Dick Tracy thing comes from golf also. You see it a lot in putting. With the forefinger extended and no club (or rod) it looks like you’re pointing a gun.
Again, Thanks!
I attempt to always use the thumb on top when I fly fish, but, lately, I have had to use the “Dick Tracy” grip at times during fishing. It may be my age or arthritis, but, after several hours of fly fishing with the thumb on top, my thumb joint becomes very sore and will remain very painful for several days after fishing. It may also be the way I cast and if it is, I would appreciate any input from anyone because the thumb joint is very painful. What I do now is use the thumb on top for a few cast, wrap thumb around cork on a few casts and the “Dick Tracy” grip. This seems to help eliminate the thumb joint pain afterwards.
I have always used the “Dick Tracy” (never heard that term before - I’ve seen it described as a “3 point” grip once or twice) grip. It restricts my wrist breaking down and hinging too much, resulting in tighter loops. Since the rod does most of the work for distance and it doesn’t hamper double hauling, I haven’t noticed any loss of distance compared to the thumb on top grip. What you’re used to, I guess.
Joe
It’s the “Lee Wulff” grip. I watched him demonstrate fly casting many times at numerous confabs. He could lay out 90 feet of line effortlessly with it. Sometime he kept his finger straight and sometimes he bent it. I watched him closely because that is the style I have always used. Never did get that 90 feet with it though! I tried the thumb on top but never felt comfortable with it. The rod grip kept twisting in my palm and next thing I knew the fly reel was horizontal instead of vertical. It helps your accuracy on short casts too. Not many people use it. I think it is a natural thing with those who do. There is no reason to stop doing it if it feels natural to you. When I played golf I also putted with my index finger held down along the shaft of the putter.
Cordially,
Bob
The grip is also good if you tend to bring your back cast too far back. Use the grip and point up on the back cast.