How to Correct Tailing Loop in a Fly Cast

The tailing loop has been the demise of fly fishermen since the first silk fly line was cast. Although the kinematics of the fly-cast appear challenging, they are easy to master. However, if you are reading this, you are probably already "carrying" quite a bit of line and want to know how to get rid of that pesky knot-tying drop loop at the end of your cast. Here are a few of the most common reasons you are creating a tailing loop in your forward cast and the remedies to get rid of them.

Instructions

Shock or Stopping Too Soon on the Forward Cast

1. 

   Strip out about 20 feet of fly line and start a slow, rhythmic false-casting routine. Watch carefully where you are stopping the rod in the backcast and once again in the forward cast. Most standard casting instructors teach the ten to two method. That means you should stop the rod at ten o’clock on your forward cast and two o’clock on your back cast.

2. 

   Now, continue your false casting routine. However, in your backcast, drop the rod tip down to three o’clock and your forward cast at eleven o’clock. Notice you are now throwing a dramatic tailing loop.

3. 

   Go back to your false cast stopping at ten and two. However, now stop your backcast at two and take your forward cast to nine o’clock. Notice the tailing loop disappears.

4. Always remember to take the forward cast, especially when making longer casts, to a lower clock face relation time than the back cast.

Non-Planar Casting Stroke

1. 

   Take a few casts and watch the path of your rod tip. If it is going concave (away from) your body, you’re bringing the fly closer to your body than in relation to the rod tip to your body. This is the most common cause of the tailing loop.

2. Find a tall wall. School gymnasiums are great for this. Turn your body perpendicular to the wall so your shoulder would lean into the wall. Take a few steps out and begin casting.

3. As you feel like the arch is coming out of your cast, take a few steps toward the wall. This should make you tighten the concave nature of your cast through your body’s natural kinesthetic awareness of the impending wall.