Fly fishing is an art and everyone has to go through the learning stages. A deft wrist and a steady motion will enable you to drop a fly in just the right spot, and this takes years of practice to master. The combination of rod, reel and line make up the casting properties, and if all are as they should be, the rod feels balanced in the hand, and then you can begin to practice.
The Right Line
If your goal is effortless casting, then your choice of fishing line is critical, and you should consider a selection of Rio fly lines, which flow through the eyes smoothly, enabling smooth and friction free movement. If you live in Australia, the name Rio will already be well known, and as far as fly fishing equipment is concerned, they really have it nailed. There are special lines for trout and bonefish, with both fresh and saltwater versions, and they also make a great sinking line, should you ever decide to try a deep lure.
Slick Lines Are More Efficient
For the beginner, casting the fly can be a very tiring experience, and when you consider just how many times you are casting and recasting, this puts a strain on the wrist, shoulder and forearm. Slicker lines are definitely easier to cast, and with online suppliers of everything to do with fly fishing, you will soon find a suitable brand. Of course, trial and error is a big part of finding the right line, so avoid bulk buying of one specific brand, at least until you’re sure it works for you. Line that floats well is essential, as this creates almost no drag when you retract and prepare for the next cast, and don’t worry if you seem to spend a large part of the time untangling line, as this is something we all have to endure. If you would like some further reading on fly casting techniques, there are helpful articles online that can help you to understand the theory behind casting.
Straighten your Line
This is an old trick, yet very effective, especially when using a line for the first time, as it removes the coils caused by sitting on a spool for many months, or even years. Once the line is fed through the rod, ask a friend to tie the end to a small tree and then walk in reverse to create a space that is longer than you will cast, then apply tension to the line, but not too much, and simply hold it like that for a couple of minutes, and this will make for a marked improvement with casting.
Practice Casting at Home
This is a great way to achieve rapid progress, and that means more time fishing and less time trying to. The back garden is the ideal place to do this, and you can put a few items on the lawn and practice trying to drop the fly on top. Like anything else, the more you cast, the better you become, and anytime you have the odd half hour to spare, you can cast for a while.
There are affordable online tackle suppliers who have everything you need, and they would also be happy to advise you on any aspect of fly fishing equipment.
