I have a question for you. I’m trying to become a better caster, and am trying to teach myself to double haul. In N. Texas the wind never ceases to blow unless it is 100?, and this method of casting seems like it would help in the wind and otherwise.
I have downloaded several videos off the 'net and, while they help, I am unsure of one thing. I’m righthanded, so I’ll explain it like this, when you’re moving your left hand up and down pulling the flyline on the backcast and forecast, does it keep in constant contact with the same portion of the line, or is some some line supposed to slide through your left hand (allowing the line to feed)?
Thanks in advance…dw
I would buy Mel Kreuger’s DVD.
You do not need to let line slip in order to double haul. The line slipping, or shooting, is just to lengthen the amount of line you have in the air just like a regular cast. You may find it best to practice without shooting to limit the things you need to think about. Just get about 35’ of line in the air and try to work a haul into the forward and back cast. When you do try to shoot, make sure you complete the snap with your right hand and the tug with the left hand BEFORE you attempt to let any line slip. Good luck!
Bill O.
[url=http://www.oysterbamboo.com:e3ecd]www.oysterbamboo.com[/url:e3ecd]
[This message has been edited by oyster (edited 17 May 2006).]
Save money. Learn to say, “Downup”. Then say it alot while you’re casting. “Whump” is another word Mel invented. Many video’s out, watch them with the sound off, you will learn more, faster.
DW,
I recently learned to double haul, it is not pretty yet but I can do it. I too am self taught. I have Mel Krueger’s DVD and it did help but the thing that was a revaluation for me was that it is a feel “thing”. The downup that Castwell talks about is what Mel suggest and I think is a good thing but I tried and tried to get it by watching the fly line for timing and it never happened. Then I bowed my head and looked at the ground and relied on feel and as I felt the rod load I did the downup thing and it worked. A few more cast and I had joined a few forward and back cast together, I was so excited. Now I can run quite a few together but like I said it is not pretty. I tend to punch the cast (my buddy says) and on occasion have a concave path with my wrist which causes tailing loops. It sure is to bad that they are considered poor casting technique because I do them so well!
Dan
To learn the feel of the double haul try a little practicing in the dark.
We often have a student simply close his eyes. Works quite often.
Hi there,
I saw a great short video of the double-haul online (this site I think), but can’t seem to find it now. Anybody have a link?
Also Castwell, this might sound dumb, but when you say “updown” are you refering to the motion of the hand holding the line?
It often helps to learn while making only a forward cast and haul, sidearm, then laying it down. Then make a backward cast and haul, and lay it down. Repeat till it seems easy, then try both together. Keep raising it higher, and before you know it, you’re casting overhead.
Harry
The double-haul comes into question quite often and the article that helped me a lot was this one…
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/cst/cst061801.html:44dac]“The DH”[/url:44dac]
Hope it helps you as much. Also, thanks for the help JC!
There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim
I appreciate yall. I practice without a rod in my hand and your advice works great…ha ha. Moturke that is a good article that I did not find when i searched keyword double haul. I am trying to avoid spending any more money on non-essential fly fishing miscellany like videos and such, and when you can get free advice on here why not ask?
Oyster by the way, may not be this year, may not be next, but one day Lord willing I will be heading to N Georgia for a week long class…looks like a good time.
Try sexyloops.com for a short video.
OMG!!!
but when you say “updown” are you
You have something backwards. I do NOT hold with either ‘camp’. Neither the “Downup”, or the reverse (the one you quoted). They are silly and worthless. But, you see that is just my opinion and I am allowed only one a month on here.
Learning can be done horizontaly by using the “Pull, cast, feed” method. However that is propriatery and highly secret.
If casting into the wind is a problem just switch to silk line. Solved most of my problems.
Sorry I asked.