In the last installment of “Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor,” we dealt with the bow-and-arrow cast, which is great for tight situations, when you have no room for a backcast. In this week’s video, we deal with a very different circumstance: fishing from the bow of a boat. Oftentimes, they keys to catching fish in the tropics are 1.) being able to deliver a fly quickly and 2.) avoiding line tangles that can lead to an aborted cast or, even worse, a break off.
I’ve seen too many fly fishermen drop or throw their fly to begin the cast, but this is both inefficient and can lead to problems that can get in the way of a good cast. First, dropping the fly doesn’t help to load the rod, so it adds false casts to your presentation. More false casts means more time. The longer it takes you to get your fly to the fish, the more likely the chance has passed you by. Also, if there’s a strong wind, dropping your fly means that you’re giving up control of it. The wind could blow your fly into your clothes or into the line hanging from the rod. When that happens, your cast is DOA.
However, if you prepare your line correctly and wait in the correct “ready position,” you can make a quick, tangle-free presentation, which means you’ll get your fly in front of more fish. So practice this transition from ready position to casting, and you’ll find your hook-up rate will increase.
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 XII: 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
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XV: How to Make a Tuck Cast
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XVI: How to Make an Aerial Mend
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XVII: How to Make Roll and Switch Casts with a Two-Handed Rod
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XVIII: The Basic Cast
Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor XIX: The Bow & Arrow Cast
Ok im Trevell and i have a question if someone was in a boat with you fly fishing and you cast back could you hook them with your fly. What types of fly rods should i use since im a kid and also it would help if you could give more tips on fly fishing for kids. . . . and can you actually make a video fly fishing and actually show how to make a tuck cast, basic cast,setting the hook,and fighting the fish (reeling it in). And what kind of flies would be good when fly fishing.
Trevell, it seems as if you should spend some time on our Fly Fishing Learning Center.
Trevell, it seems as if you should spend some time on our Fly Fishing Learning Center.