Welcome to another installment of “Ask an Orvis Fly-Fishing Instructor,” with me, Peter Kutzer. In this episode, I discuss the best way to grip a fly rod. This may seem ridiculously basic to some folks, but the grip is the foundation on which your whole cast is built. So it’s very important that you establish a comfortable grip that will help you put your fly where you want it to go.
The first thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want to try to squeeze the life out of the cork. A grip that’s too tight won’t allow your arm to move properly, and it will cause you to tire quickly. So if you want to be able to fish all day in comfort, start with a light grip. In this video, I offer three options for how you can hold the rod, but the thumb-on-top is my favorite. If you’re just getting started, it’s your best option. Good luck!
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
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor VIII: Fixing Tailing Loops
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor IX: How to Make Delicate Presentations
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor X: The Steeple Cast
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XI: How to Avoid Hitting Your Rod with Your Fly
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XIII: Don’t be a Creep
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XIII: Parachute and Pile Casts
Gotta love Pete’s approach.
When I say approach, I’m thinking of his teaching style.
But I also appreciate the techniques he shares.