[Editor’s Note: Many of you have recently or are about to get out on the water for the first time this spring. How’s that casting stroke? Here’s one of Pete’s best lessons to help you smooth out that loop.]
Welcome to our eighth installment of “Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor,” starring our own Peter Kutzer, who works at the Manchester, Vermont, Fly Fishing School. A couple months ago, we asked you to post some questions about your biggest fly-casting problems. Reader “Phil A.” wrote,
I have a problem with power casting and a tangled mess of leader/flies. Enjoyed the video in helping with my casting errors.
In this lesson, Peter explains that most tangles are caused by “tailing loops,” in which the top leg of the casting loop falls below the bottom leg. This causes the two legs to cross, which is a recipe for disaster. The main causes of tailing loops are overpowering the forward cast, using too short a casting stroke, or trying too hard to “punch” the final cast for more distance. Peter explains what you need to do to fix these problems to create a smooth loop and reduce tangles. Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to put Pete’s lessons to work by practicing on your own lawn.
If you’ve got more questions for Peter, post them below, and we’ll address each casting problem in a new video.
Previous episodes:
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor I: Casting Heavy Flies in the Wind
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor II: Roll-Casting for Accuracy & Distance
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor III: Casting in the Wind
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor IV: Casting Accuracy
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor V: The Curve Cast
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor VI: Casting Angles
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor VII: How to Double Haul