Casting

[Want2try]

Hi All,

I need some help please. I am a newbie at this and very keen to get it right. The problem I have however is that I am not able to get distance when casting. I was shown how to cast by a friend and using his rod did quite ok. But now with my own gear I just don't seem to get it right. Sorry forgot to mention that it is a 9 weight. Can the line be a problem or is it just the action that I am not getting right? Also does anyone know of a club on the east rand where one can go and learn from the experts? Thank you.

[Scythe]

Rand Piscatorial Association, PM Pieter Kriel or TJB for details or check out the WebSite ... I think you will find links to the RPA main site off www.fishingowl.co.za

Personally I think you just need to check the basics, make sure the line & reel matches the rod and then have someone give you one or two pointers.

[dizzy]

Ok, its sounds to me like your timing might be a little off.

Pop in at Fishing Owls in Boksburg, down the road from the Fire Station.
Speak to Terry, he can give you info on the RPA, a club based on the East Rand. He can also assist with your casting, so take your rod with!

[Gerrit Viljoen]

Hi All,

I need some help please. I am a newbie at this and very keen to get it right. The problem I have however is that I am not able to get distance when casting. I was shown how to cast by a friend and using his rod did quite ok. But now with my own gear I just don't seem to get it right. Sorry forgot to mention that it is a 9 weight. Can the line be a problem or is it just the action that I am not getting right? Also does anyone know of a club on the east rand where one can go and learn from the experts? Thank you.

Distance casting/casting in my opinion has 3 steps only.I base my statement on personal experience and based on what've learnt from material I bought to teach me properly.

I use to sukkel my gat off not because I'm stupid or anything,because no one I knew could teach me the physics and fundamentals.

By doing those 3 things right,ur casting wil improve drastically and U'll be able to cast 90-100ft without hauling.In ideal conditions that is.

Hauling won't make a 40ft caster a 100ft caster,more from 90 -100ft.

Also reaching shorter distances with less effort.

I made it my business to find out and learn because I was having endless frustration making my fishing experience "awkurd"

The 3 things u need in my opinion is this:

1.Propper loading and Unloading.
2.Tight loops.
3.Lenthening ur casting stroke.

See the above 3 as your 3 headings with a few bits in pieces of info relating to each one of them.

Then again the above info won't help u really because theory without visual is very difficult to grasp.

G

[dizzy]

Most fly lines are 30yards or 90ft in length, with the exception of some specialised saltwater and spey lines.

As a beginner, if you are try to "woft" out your line, you're going to make mistakes, then you will start to find that your fishing will become horrible. Whats more, its highly unlikely that you will cast out a full line within the next few months.

Take it easy, learn 1 step at a time, and only cast as far as you can without forcing it.

As Scythe said, stick to the basics, when you'v mastered them, then move up to the next level. Go and see TJB, he'll sort you out!

Good Luck and Tight Lines!

[Scythe]

I disagree there.

Spend an hour a day and two hours on weekends practising casting and you can lug a full line within a month, easily, especially on a 9WT.

(It might not be pretty though, finesse comes with practise)

[dizzy]

You are right, it is possible, but not likely!

[Chris Shelton]

Best tip I can give you is make the rod work and not your arm. On a short line, try little hammer strokes, i.e. imagine you are driving a nail into a piece of wood with a hammer. You certainly would not be using your whole body, it would all be in the forearm. Try to apply exactly the same stroke with the fly rod in your hand, neither extending too far forward or to far to the rear. Think about what you are doing, you can even try saying the following out aloud on both your forward and back strokes...."tap tap"...."tap tap"..."tap tap". The verbal syllables of each "tap" must be evenly spaced and this must coincide with both your forward and back stroke, much like a evenly spaced drum beat.

Sounds like I'm talking the biggest lot of k*k I know, but for what it is worth, give it a try.

[Scythe]

Pessimist

[Want2try]

Thanks for all the replies I really appreciate it, now only if the weather will allow me to put it into practice it will be nice. I will certainly make an effort to at least try all the recommendations. In the end I am sure something will work. I will also pay Fishing owls a visit. When I cath that big one I will let you all know. Once again thank you very much for all the help!..