How to Cast With a Fly Rod

Learning the basics of the fly cast is, for the most part, a simple process. The only way to improve your skill at fly fishing is to get out and practice. As the old saying goes, "you never know what you can accomplish until you give it a try. Fly fishing is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon communing with nature.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly rod with line
  • Tied fly
  • Pond or stream to practice on
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Instructions

    • 1

      When you begin the cast, the rod should be almost parallel to the water or at about a ten o'clock position. As you start the pickup, which lifts the fly line from the water, the rod should be pointed at about a 45-degree angle behind you. The pickup itself should be practiced so that the line lifts from the water rather than dragging for some distance across the surface.

    • 2

      Bring the rod backward making sure to keep your elbow by your side. Your wrist should remain fixed at about the two o'clock position. This is where you will stop the line with a sharp snap of the wrist and briefly wait for the line to straighten out behind you. Over time, practice will help you to develop a feel in regard to the cast. Rather than watching each motion, you should strive to reach a point where you know just by feel what is going on at each point of the cast.

    • 3

      The next motion will involve bringing the rod forward. This is an extremely important step in the fly casting motion and failing to properly execute this step may result potentially frustrating situations. For example, if you wait too long to begin the forward cast the result may be that your fly either lands in the water behind you or lodges in a tree or other object. Beginning the forward cast too soon may result in your snapping, or bugg whipping, the line in the air. Practice this step by watching the line straighten behind you.

    • 4

      Bring the rod to a a snap-stop at about the ten o’clock position allowing the loop to unfold in front of you. When the line straightens in front of you, lower the rod toward the water and guide the fly down stream.

    • 5

      To get the attention of the fish and make it look as if the fly is a real bug flying in the air above the water, some fishermen snap the line back and forth a few times before finally allowing the line to settle into the water. It is not a requirement, but is helpful.