The Expert Says

I’m working on getting better at casting, but my skills could use some serious polishing. Others have pointed out my grip on the handle, line control, tailing loops, and my struggles with pausing or keeping a pause. I’ve heard it all, and I’ve taken the criticism to heart, though I’ve also been careful not to take it too personally. I even considered secretly recording their casting, but I’ve already got enough footage of my own. The truth is, it’s all about me, and that’s a common perception we all have.

Perceptions can be a real mistake when we judge others. Small things can snowball into big problems. For instance, I might not like someone’s tattoos, hair length, or even if they’re balding or wearing a toupee. You get the idea. Our perceptions are influenced by our own insecurities, biases, and competitive nature.

Now, let’s talk about my favorite movie, “A River Runs Through It.” It’s not just about fly fishing; it’s about brothers and families navigating ordinary lives during extraordinary times. I have two scenes that stand out to me. The first is when Norman writes an essay for the good reverend, who keeps asking him to rewrite it. In the end, Norman gives it a thumbs up but no praise. Well, that wasn’t necessary; it was just an assignment, not a cure for the common cold.

The second scene is the fly casting lesson, a classic 10-to-2 fly casting tutorial. The reverend even had them practice with a metronome to get the rhythm down and pause at each beat. It’s like this: tick, pause, tock, pause. I noticed they were using vintage bamboo rods, which are great for the slow stroke. Bamboo loads the line differently than modern graphite rods, so the slow, deliberate loading and unloading is key. They also use a false cast to build power and stretch the line. And did I mention that 10-2 is an arc, not a straight line? All you digital folks need to get a real watch and check out the dial. 

Let’s talk about that arc. The line should be straight, not curved. Sometimes, finding the perfect cast isn’t the most important thing. The main goal is to get the fly into the fish’s feeding area. But, keeping your line straight and pointing at the target works too. The pause might not be necessary. I always felt the tug at the end of the back cast. Then, smoothly move forward and skip the false cast. Pick up the fly, back cast, tug, and lay it down. If you miss, play the fly resist and recast it as it lies.

Also, don’t worry too much about distance. This is fishing, not a race. I know people who can cast the whole line, take a bunch of false casts, and double haul. Honestly, that much line has too much stretch to set the hook. Most fish see the line going far out and wonder what it was. Most are within a reasonable distance if you don’t scare them by charging into the water waving your arms like crazy.