How to Learn Fly Casting Techniques

You can learn to cast a fly rod in a day, but it can take years to perfect the technique. For many anglers, casting isn't just about getting the fly into the water-it's an art form. Learn the basic principles of casting and you'll be able to catch fish on a small stream or make beautiful casts across a large river.

Things You'll Need

• Fly rod

Instructions

1. Feed the fly line through the guides on the rod. Then pull the line 20 to 30 feet beyond the rod's tip. Hold the rod in your dominant hand, place your thumb on top of the cork handle and wrap your fingers around the cork.

2. Use your opposite hand to hold the fly line between the reel and the first guide on the rod. This will help you control the line and prepare you to fish once the cast is completed. Holding the line between your thumb and forefinger is the preferred method, but you should do what is most comfortable.

3. Imagine a clock where your head is pointing to 12 o'clock. The basic fly cast is called a false cast, and it's used to dry the fly, lengthen the cast and help place the fly accurately. With the fly line stretched out in front of the rod, start the cast by raising the rod quickly from parallel to the ground until it points skyward behind your head at 10 o'clock.

4. Bring the rod to a sudden stop and allow the fly line to go through the air and unfurl behind the rod. This is called the backcast.

5. Start the forward cast when the line is stretched straight behind the rod. Accelerate the rod forward until it points to 2 o'clock. Quickly stop the rod at this point and wait for the line to unfurl and straighten in front of the rod.

6. Repeat the false casting until you reach the desired distance and your fly is above the water you want to fish.

7. Make the final forward cast. Stop as usual and then lower the rod at the same rate as the falling fly line until parallel with the water. This will allow the line and fly to settle to the water. Place the line under the index finger of your dominant hand to gain control of the line as you fish.

Tips & Warnings

• Fly casting does not require muscle-power; in fact, the cast will suffer if you try to force it with strength. Instead, let the loading (or bending) of the rod do the work.

• Beginners find it helpful to watch the line in the air to tell when it has straightened and when the forward or backcast should continue.

• Practice getting a rhythm going and your casting will become more fluid.