How to Deal With Wind While Fly-Fish Casting

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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Weather can always get in the way of a good cast in fly-fishing. Learn to compensate for your fishing conditions to ensure a great day on the water. Wind can be particularly troublesome, but there are some good tricks to prevent heavy breezes from spoiling your efforts.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Backing/fly-fishing
Fishing Fly Box
Fly-fishing Flies
Fly-fishing Leaders
Fly-fishing Nets
Fly-fishing Reels
Fly-fishing Rods

Step1

Try moving out of the wind first. There may be a new spot that is less windy. You may also get more protection if you move around the river's bend or to the opposite shore.

Step2

Figure out which way the wind is blowing. If it's face-on, the back cast isn't a problem, but you'll need more force on the forward cast. Think of the rotation of your arm in casting like that of a clock: Try using a quick downward motion ending closer to the water at the 9 o'clock position instead of stopping at 11 o'clock like you would normally.

Step3

Reverse the process if the wind is blowing from behind - use a more forceful back cast with a lighter forward cast.

Step4

Adjust for crosswinds similarly - cast more forcefully into the wind.

Step5

Keep in mind that wind is more powerful higher off the water, so consider a series of side casts to reach the target. Keep your rod low to help land the fly accurately.

Step6

Keep the loop of line tighter when you are casting, and the wind will have less effect on your line. To do this, make sure you stay between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock and that you cast straight, not in an arc, keeping your wrist stiff. Movement in the wrist can cause bigger loops.

Step7

Accommodate the wind by lowering your casting plane and shortening your rod's arc. Your cast will not have as much wind to cut through.

Tips & Warnings

Your normal targeting skills will be pushed askew in the wind. Note the wind's direction and adjust accordingly.

Comments

Chris_Dore said

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on 1/13/2007 ummmm - avoid the double haul?
Hauling directly increases line speed, and this is essential for delivering your fly into the wind. You require fast tight loops aimed low to the water.
employ a short, zippy haul late in the stroke to maximize effect.
drivng your final cast often introduces an unsustained excessive burts of power, and results in a tailing loop, rather than an open loop.
Smooth acceleration culminating in a crisp, positive stop will have more efect than 'giving it heaps'.
technique, not power~!
chris dore

Anonymous said

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on 3/25/2006 (1) Resist at all costs- "driving" your cast into the wind! Concentrate on a good tight normal speed casting stroke. If you drive your final cast into the wind you will end with an open loop which will pile into a puddle.
(2) Avoid trying to double haul. Long casts aren't needed and the wind will create enough chop to give fish a sense of security and they'll come up closer to the surface to feed.
(3) You can also go to a sink tip line to really cut into the wind with less effort!
(4) Use smaller flies for less wind resistance.

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