5 pointers to help you present the perfect cast

By Rollo Grandy

Dry fly fishing is a sport which takes a long time to master but when mastered it is a thing of beauty.

1. The first rule of the fly cast is to understand that the power must come from your wrist and forearm not your shoulder, so keep your wrist and forearm stiff. When you are a beginner I would suggest an all-through action rod, i.e. the rod bends from the butt to the tip.

2. Be sure to hold the bottom of the rod with your thumb resting on the top of the handle, this will enable you to have more power and control. Hold the excess line with your left hand and raise the rod to the 10 o’clock position, ensuring the line is free and has plenty of slack so that the end of the line can unfold across the river.

3. Once at the 10 o’clock position, firmly flick the rod back bringing the line off the water, at the 12 o’clock/1 o’clock position stop for a second or two, this allows the line to catch up on itself, this is where you create your power in the cast. Don’t be afraid of looking at the tip of your rod at all times, this will help you with your timing.

4. Once the line has passed your head and is unfolding behind you wait until it has straightened then firmly and smoothly flick the rod back towards the water, stopping at 10 o’clock so making the line shoot forward. Remember to let go of the line in your left hand when the line is going forward, so the line can shoot out smoothly.

5. When the line has come past you, bring the rod down to the water stopping about a foot off the water, thus presenting the fly on to the surface film as if it had sore toes.

Tight lines and enjoy your fishing.