Welcome to another installment of “Ask an Orvis Fly-Fishing Instructor,” with me, Peter Kutzer. In this episode, I demonstrate how to make a tuck cast, which allows you to get your nymphs to the bottom quickly by causing them to hit the water before your fly line does. Tuck casts are great for when you’re fishing nymphs upstream to the head of a pool and you want them to get to the bottom fast so they don’t drift over the heads of your target fish. Because the flies land first, they break right through the surface and head for the bottom without the line and leader holding them back.
The tuck cast is really quite simple, but it requires some practice. On the forward cast, just as the line is straightening out, give your rod tip a slight lift. This will cause the cast to hinge, and the flies will swing around to the underside of the fly line, straight toward the water. Be careful, though, because too big or too strong a lift will cause your line and flies to bounce back like a dog hitting the end of his leash. With a little practice, you’ll get a feel for just how much of a lift is necessary. 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
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XIV: How to Make a Reach Cast