If you really want someone to read your article, or show up for a fly casting class, that’s what you advertise: Learn to Fly Cast Farther! This article is not about distance; it’s about accuracy, but I had to get you interested. Most folks will not take the time to read about accuracy, much less practice it. We tend to just enjoy the flow of a cast and the nice loops, and then we focus on distance next.
Fly Casting Accuracy would be the title of a fly casting class that would bring in the fly fishers that understand what’s important in catching fish. You may be able to cast a mile, but if it isn’t near a fish, it’s just casting. Hopefully, when you read the following, you will get some key points into the mindset of an accurate caster.
We have to start with equipment that lends itself to being more accurate: 1) A responsive rod—too stiff (fast), no feel; too soft (slow), no control. 2) Bright line so you can see the loops and align them. 3) Leaders that carry the energy to the target and not fade out to a wisp.
Then we have to be physically ready, from our feet to our head. Our footing should be aligned with the target, if possible, knees soft and able to flow; our body’s core like a dancer’s, able to adjust, not stiff like a boxer. Shoulders square to target and rounded, but with chest up. A cleansing breath to get oxygenated, and keep the head up, not tilted, so vision will not be distorted. Our arm casting style can aid in achieving accuracy; if you cast off to the side (on a horizontal plane), you will have a better view of your line, but the cast can go sideways past your target, compared to you going more over the top (or vertical). For short casts, stay more vertical than for a long cast of 45-80 feet, where we have to lengthen our casting stroke.
Now, my favorite part of accuracy casting: getting in your head! If nothing else, remember that accuracy is active seeing, not casual looking. You have to see the target, not the area. Too often we look at a log in the water, a root wad or a rock that will hold fish; we fail to see the four-inch by four-inch specific spot we need to land the fly, and then we have fuzzy targets. Try this: take a moment, look at your fireplace (or anything else) and pretend you want to place the fly in it. Move your eyes side to side, and then up and down to a spot; a brick, for example, that you want to land the fly on. Your eyes should almost bug out as you get zoned in on the spot, not the fireplace. That is active seeing; see your target and pretend you’re looking down a funnel into it. Now make your fly line loop travel down the tunnel to the target. Get the idea?
Now let’s put it together for the cast. You have picked out your target; let me say that again, you have picked out your target. You have the best gear for your situation, and you have positioned yourself to make the cast. Start with less line outside the rod tip than you will need to make the cast (it is difficult to take back line while casting). Focus on making your loops parallel on all planes. A slightly rounded loop is easier to see than a pointed one, so open up to a two-three foot loop, and slow down. Look at your loops, both front and back, until you like the alignment (send the loop down the funnel), and then pick up your target with your eyes again. Try a few false casts, and hover the fly a foot or two above the target (after you stop the rod, move your hand one inch forward and the fly will almost hang in the air for a second). When you get the placement of the false cast where it should be, don’t change a thing, and deliver it on the next cast. Whew! That’s a lot!
Let’s make it easy. Pick out a specific target; make good loops and line them up. Then pick up that target with your eyes again, and make everything focused on getting there. Oh, then get ready to catch a fish!
Fly fishing is about having fun, and catching fish is more fun than not. Focus on accuracy and you will have more fun fly fishing and catching fish.
Rene Hesse is a Certified Casting Instructor–Federation of Fly Fishers Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer.