Techniques
Casting
Follow these general tips when casting:
Don't break wrist
Keep the rod tip should go in a straight motion, it shouldn't angle down towards the water
Always keep line under right hand when stripping
Overhead Cast
Description: Most common technique; useful in open areas
Technique:
Lift the rod smoothly, pause, and cast forward with controlled force
Can pick up and lay down the line, false cast, and shoot line out
Keys:
Use the right amount of line in the water; don't hold any stripped line in your left hand
Keep the line straight in the water
Start with a low rod tip
Pause on the backcast, don't break the wrist, and avoid casting too far forward
The tighter the arc of your hand, the tighter the loop will be
Keep the rod tall and straight for false casting, but don't false cast too much
To shoot line out: strip line first and release your finger when casting
Start with right foot forward
Roll Cast
Description: Effective in tight spaces with obstacles behind
Technique: Flick the rod tip forward from a looped line position on the water
Keys:
Start with some line in water and a bit behind shoulder
Hand position should be next to ear/shoulder with the rod tip turned outward
Bring hand forward and push with thumb to cast
Stop rod tip at eye level
Avoid dropping tip
Single Haul Cast
Description: Adds extra line speed and distance to a cast
Technique: Pull on the line with the non-rod hand during either the backcast or forward cast, but not both
Keys:
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Sidearm Cast
Description: Provides accuracy in windy conditions or under cover
Technique: Cast parallel to the water to avoid low-hanging branches
Keys:
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Double Haul Cast
Description: Increases line speed for longer casts
Technique: Pull on the line with the non-rod hand during both the backcast and forward cast.
Keys:
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Reach Cast
Description: Allows for better line positioning on the water
Technique: Extend the rod arm in the desired direction mid-cast
Keys:
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Spey Cast
Description: Ideal for large rivers and strong currents
Technique: Uses a longer rod and sweeping motion for line control without a backcast
Keys:
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Tuck Cast
Description: Drops the fly quickly for deeper nymphing
Technique: Perform a sharp downward flick at the end of the cast
Keys:
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Bow and Arrow Cast
Description: Used in extremely tight spots where a backcast isn’t possible
Technique: Pull the fly back like an arrow and release forward
Keys:
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Water Haul
Description:
Technique:
Keys:
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Mend Cast
Description:
Technique:
Keys:
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Styles
Nymph Fishing
Euro Nymphing
Wet Fly Fishing
Streamer Fishing
Tenkara
High Sticking
Bass Fishing
Bass Fishing Rigs
Spin Fishing
Tips
Targeting
Target different areas of rivers by working the entire body of water
Drifts
Rigging
General Rigging
Dry fly: leader -> 5X -> dry fly (5X can be tied onto existing 3X)
Hopper: leader -> 5X -> dry fly -> 3X -> wet fly (5X can be tied onto existing 3X)
Single nymph: leader -> 3X -> nymph (with indicator)
Double nymph: leader -> 3X -> nymph -> 3X -> nymph (with indicator)
Streamer: leader -> 3X -> streamer
Knots
Full clinch for flies/lures
Surgeons for leader to leader or droppers
Perfection loop for Tenkara
Use spit on knots to ensure they seat properly
Tippet Sizing
Dry Dropper Rigging
Fly Selection
Use nylon pants to keep off the bugs & sun, worn with a pair of thin socks, wading socks, and rubber-soled wading boots.
Pick up rocks to see what's underneath for fly selection
Ducks typically mean hoppers
Any trout in the world will eat a size 18 Pheasant Tail out of a river
Wet Flies:
Use small black baetis, or other wet fly, with split shot relative to depth, and no indicator. Use 2 1/2 feet of 5X tippet tied on the end of the tenkara line - using a tippet ring - to the fly. The split shot is about a foot above the fly.
Resources
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