Tuesday Tip: Adding Line to the Cast

Forward Cast

Learning to add line to the cast is the key to distance-casting.

photo by Steve Hemkens

In our last lesson, we learned how to control the line hand during casting, as well as how to “shoot” line by releasing the line at the end of the forward cast. After shooting the line, you then pinched the against the cork handle in what we call the “fishing position.”

 

Now we’re going to put lessons 1 and 2 together to learn how to add line to the cast during false casting. This is the skill that allows you to lengthen your casts after you’ve stripped line in.

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Tuesday Tip: The Line Hand and Shooting

Last week we discussed the basics of the front and back casts, using a simple pick-up-and-lay-down drill with the line pinched against the cork grip. Now it’s time to add the “line hand,” the one that controls the fly line during the cast, and discuss shooting line to lengthen the cast.

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The Power of Public-Private Partnerships

You may have heard about the Obama administration’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, which argues that

[L]asting conservation solutions should rise from the American people–that the protection of our natural heritage is a non-partisan objective shared by all Americans. AGO recognizes that many of the best ideas come from outside of Washington. Instead of dictating policies, this initiative turns to communities for local, grassroots conservation initiatives. Instead of growing bureaucracy, it calls for. . .

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Tuesday Tip: The Basic Cast


Truel casting

 Orvis head instructor Truel Myers.


[Editor’s note: Over the next couple of weeks, Truel Myers, head instructor at the Orvis Fly-Fishing Schools, will walk us through The Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting. This is the teaching methodology used at all Orvis fly-fishing schools, and it’s designed on a building-blocks approach that begins with the most basic mechanics of the cast and moves toward the double haul.]

Step 1. The Basic (Pick-up and Lay-Down) Casting Stroke

This is the simplest way to learn the proper mechanics for the casting stroke. You are not trying to keep the line in the air or work line out through the guides. Instead, you are going to start and end with. . .

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Why I Love Grouse: A Walk in the Vermont Woods

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Grouse Cover
Scott McEnaney

Ruffed grouse always make me smile, sometimes it is when I have watched my spaniels change as they get a snoot full of scent and the bird flushes, sometimes its when I get lucky and actually connect with one, and most times it is when they fly away from the pattern of my 20 bore and live to see another day.

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Tying the Hendrickson Rusty Parachute

Here’s a video I shot at the first annual Trout Unlimited of Southwestern Vermont’s “Flies & Pies” tying evening, held on February 15th, 2011 at the Orvis Manchester Fishing School building. We had over 25 people in attendance, and we offered a three-fly “menu” for the evening. This was pattern #2 offered by Orvis Rod & Tackle Product Development Specialist Shawn Brillon. Hendricksons are the best. . .

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Action Alert: The Time to Save Bristol Bay is Here!

“The break we’ve been looking for is here!” — Perk Perkins, CEO, The Orvis Company

We’ve just learned the EPA plans to assess the Bristol Bay watershed to understand how future large-scale development may affect water quality and Bristol Bay’s salmon fishery. This is a pivotal step toward protecting this pristine region from the proposed Pebble Mine. Frankly, it’s a step that may not have happened if not for partners like TU and The Sportsman’s Alliance for Alaska, and sportsmen and women such as yourselves working non-stop to help protect the area.

Part of the EPA’s process is to get public input. We encourage you to click the TAKE ACTION image below to let the EPA know the value you place on the wild resources of this magnificent region. It takes all of thirty seconds to help protect a national treasure forever.

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A follow up to ‘Canine Cancer Hits Home’: Riley and Josie Visit Orvis

Last week I posted a piece on my daughter Riley’s puppy, Willow, succumbing to canine cancer at just 6 months old (read the story here). So many of you wrote such kind things on Facebook and in the comments of my original post that I wanted to give you all some happy news.

Here is my daughter Riley visiting the Orvis home office with the newest addition to our family, Josie!


Riley and Josie Visit Orvis


I think they look pretty happy together, don’t you?

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Canine Cancer Hits Home at Orvis


Willow and Riley

Willow and Riley, 2010

We found out on Christmas Eve that Willow, our daughter Riley’s six-month-old golden retriever, had cancer. She was Riley’s best friend since we picked her up this summer. We waited until after Christmas to break the news. Needless to say Riley was devastated.

Riley asked a couple of times if we were sure that she couldn’t be saved. Unfortunately, the answer for Willow was “no”. All we could do was love her as much as we could in the time she had. Riley did just that, she got up before the sun and took Willow out, fed her, and then played with her all day. The only breaks taken were for Willow to catch a nap while Riley’s snow clothes dried out.

We lost Willow a couple weeks ago, two weeks to the day of getting the news. Riley kept Willow’s toys. Every night she puts them on her bed in the spot where her pup used to sleep.

This was heartbreaking for my family, but it hit home for me as an Orvis associate how important the Orvis commitment to helping end canine cancer is. I’m grateful, as well, to all of you, our customers, for your help in curing canine cancer. Thank you.

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Preventive Heartworm Measures Still a Necessity, Especially for Outdoor Dogs

Orvis Cover Dog Contest - Mack
Lying in Clover
Douglas, Chatham

We all want to make sure our dogs are as healthy as possible and do our best to prevent them from picking up ticks, fleas, and from getting heartworm.If you have a dog that spends a lot of time outdoors, its exposure to heartworm increases.

A recent study at California State University at Fresno, funded by Morris Animal Foundation, showed that heartworm prevention is still an important part of a well-rounded health plan for dogs in the Western states, especially if the dogs spend a lot of time outside.

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