I don’t see much talk here on the WW board about roll casting. Does that mean we WW flyfishers don’t do a lot of it or just don’t talk much about it? My most frequent use of the roll cast is when I’m float tubing. I think the tube is one of the very best vehicles for the roll cast. Just ease down the bank with the same distance between me and the bank and roll cast over and over and over. Nothing could be easier. I also roll cast from a boat quite a bit, especially when the wind is at my back. Any other roll casters out there? When do you use the roll cast?
Robert,
I use a roll cast a lot. I use it in the same situations as you. I can keep the fly on the water a much higher percent of the time.
I’ll roll cast quite a bit when I don’t have a clean path (pond dams, brush, etc.) behind me for a conventional back cast. A lot of the ponds I fish have heavy brush.
I roll cast a lot. It’s also one of the reasons I don’t like rods shorter than 8’. “For me” they don’t roll cast well.
Where I roll cast? When I’m fishing weighted flies on still water - to get the fly up to the top to make pick-ups easier. When I’m fishing a stream [or creek] that is “tight”. Oftentimes when I’m working a weedline and I just get lazy. Easing down and hitting cuts or points bhy just roll casting as I move along. When I’m working a clouser’s swimming nymph up stream hitting seams or pockets. You use a short line to swim the bug and it’s usually weighted fairly heavy.
So yes, I do use the roll cast!
Donald
J.C.,
Interesting article. I’ll try 2 of those methods next time I’m out as they are new to me. Thanks.
Robert
I roll cast quite a lot. Sometimes because its necessary- brush/trees behind me. But more often because I end up having the hook in the water more. I also have caught dozens of fish inadvertently when doing the slower draw-back before the forward stroke. Even got one small sunfish that turned over on the forward cast.
I have also found that it is sometimes safer to use a roll/spey cast. I was recently fishing a fairly straight canyon on a very windy day. The wind was blowing straight downstream at 25+mph consistently. My 10’ 6wt with a sinking leader worked marvelously to use Skagit-type methods to cast efficiently and safely.
I do think that the increased surface commotion of a roll-cast can spook fish, but on those very windy days, that’s not really an issue.
I’ll roll cast quite a bit when I don’t have a clean path (pond dams, brush, etc.) behind me for a conventional back cast.
When I’m fishing a stream [or creek] that is “tight”.
This says it all 
.
Robert B. McCorquodale
Sebring, FL
“Flip a fly”
Yep Robert, I roll cast.
There are days that I have used the roll-cast so much the line between my hand and the reel starts to wind up onitself like a long phone cord. Then I have to start rol-casting to the other side to get the twists out.
Usually I use it if there is wind, or something behind me. Sometimes I do it to keep a fly wet so it’ll sink at a better rate though. On occasion, I do it just for fun.
JC, I thought I had read all of your back articles. Musta missed that one or something. Gonna have to play with that Horizontal one a bit.
Don
I used it about four fishing trips ago. There wasn’t enough room for a long backcast. Unfortunately my rollcast has become very ugly. I should probably spend more time casting and less time tying flies.
Is it likely to happen though? Nope.
Warmouth
I too use it as I stroll along the shore. My casts are not graceful, but when there is an opening in the brush the roll cast is just the thing.