How to Pile Cast a Fly Fishing Rod

The pile cast is a more advanced casting technique that when done properly should produce good fly fishing results. The pile cast is most useful for downstream fishing. Follow the correct techniques to perfect your pile cast with a fly fishing rod.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Grasp your rod firmly with your thumb on top of your fingers and allow about 25 feet of fishing line out. Keep your wrist firm.

2. Proceed as you would with a basic fly fishing cast.

3. Throw your line up, not out. This is the key to a correctly preformed pile cast. Your fly fishing line should move upward at approximately a 45-degree angle.

4. Drop the tip of your rod into the water as your fly fishing line straightens out.

5. Check your line. When the pile cast is done correctly, you should end with a straight length of fishing line leading to the tip of your rod from a pile of slack.

Tips & Warnings

• The pile cast allows the fly to float away from the fly fishing line and not get tangled in the line and in the current. The pile cast is sometimes referred to as a puddle cast.
• The pile cast is an advanced fly fishing maneuver. It requires plenty of practice to determine the amount of force with which you need to throw your line. Do not get discouraged if you have trouble mastering the pile cast.

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