fly fishermen I have ?'s

[j19bill]

I was given a fly rod and reel. They are pretty beat up but I think they are good enough to learn casting basics. I had a guy I work with let me borrow a bother reel spooled with some line so I didn't have to buy some off the bat. He didn't know what kind of line was on it. Will I be able to see a difference if I spool some off to tell if it is a weight forward? From what ive read that is what i need to start with. If it is not weight forward is it going to make that much of a difference while I'm learning to cast?

[Travis C.]

Yes and depends.

Yes you can tell what it is if you spool it off either Weight Forward or Double Taper. I doubt it is going to be a sinking line so we'll leave it at just those two types of floating lines. Pull it off holding it in your finger so you can feel the diameter. If it goes from thick down to skinny its weight forward. If it goes from skinny to thick then its double taper.

The other part in your question about casting. You can learn to cast with either but a weight forward is more common/preferred. Double taper are a cost effective, close range, roll cast technique line. It can be used for general fishing and I have a reel with it but weight forward is what you want.

All fly lines are ruled by a governing body and have to be the same grain weight guidelines for the first 30ft. So a double taper 5 weight and weight forward 5 weight floating line will weigh pretty much the same at 30ft after that they take on their charateristics.

To sum it up a little clearer: If you are practicing casting 30ft or less both lines will be about the same, beyond 30ft the weight forward will feel easier to cast and will load the rod better which is why its more common of a line to use.

[j19bill]

I went cross eyed until the last part.

Well im definitely casting less than 30 feet. I might have 30 feet of line out but it piles up about 5 feet past the end of my rod.

Im going to take a trip to flysouth Saturday and look around. Might see if they are going to have a casting class soon.

Thanks for the info.

[flyfish]

You are right on going to Fly South. The boys can hook you up with tips, lessons, and good bunch of BS. Get everything setup and join us next year for the carp tourney.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by j19bill

I went cross eyed until the last part.

Thanks for the info.

Sorry about that...

Definitely get a casting lesson with either of the guys at Fly South or Cumberland Transit both close to each other and will help with learning curve.

Then practice, practice, practice.

The hardest concept gear fisherman have coming over to flyfishing is letting the rod do the work. You're not relying on the weight of a lure to send the line shooting thru the guides instead the weight of the line to carry the near weightless fly.

[bd-]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

To sum it up a little clearer: If you are practicing casting 30ft or less both lines will be about the same, beyond 30ft the weight forward will feel easier to cast and will load the rod better which is why its more common of a line to use.

This is actually a bit backward. A weight forward line has all its weight in the front section, so it will load the rod better at short range of 30 ft or less. Double taper is harder to cast at short ranges because you don't have the full weight of the line to load the rod.

On long casts WF and DT feel more alike because the entire weighted part of the line is in play and can load the rod.

WF line will definitely be easier for someone who's just learning.

bd

[bd-]

Originally Posted by j19bill

I went cross eyed until the last part.

Well im definitely casting less than 30 feet. I might have 30 feet of line out but it piles up about 5 feet past the end of my rod.

Im going to take a trip to flysouth Saturday and look around. Might see if they are going to have a casting class soon.

Thanks for the info.

Your casting arc is too wide. The reason your line is piling up is because you are going too far back with your back cast, and then you are going too far forward with your cast. The line follows the rod tip, so if the rod travels in a wide, curved path, the line will head toward the ground in front of you when you stop the rod.

You want your back cast to stop at the "ten o'clock" position. A lot of beginners overestimate where this is - try stopping when it feels like the rod is slightly past directly overhead.

Then, on the forward cast, stop at the "two o'clock position" - the rod tip will still be high - it should travel in a straight line forward from the back cast, and then stop so that the momentum of the line carries it forward and out, instead of down in a curve to your feet.

Definitely stop by Fly South. The guys there are very helpful and will show you some tips that will vastly improve your casting. It's easier to learn by seeing it in person rather than reading about it on the Internet.

bd

[jad2t]

When I was learning how to flyfish I used to cast in my front yard with the end of the flyline tied in a knot. You need to get lots of practice in before you take it to the water or you're in for a very frustrating day. Best of luck. When you catch your first fish on the flyrod, even if it's a 3 inch bluegill, you'll be hooked for life. That's how I got hooked when I was about 15. I'd rather catch a 1lb bass on a flyrod than catch a 5lb bass on regular gear anyday.

[j19bill]

Originally Posted by bd-

Your casting arc is too wide. The reason your line is piling up is because you are going too far back with your back cast, and then you are going too far forward with your cast. The line follows the rod tip, so if the rod travels in a wide, curved path, the line will head toward the ground in front of you when you stop the rod.

You want your back cast to stop at the "ten o'clock" position. A lot of beginners overestimate where this is - try stopping when it feels like the rod is slightly past directly overhead.

Then, on the forward cast, stop at the "two o'clock position" - the rod tip will still be high - it should travel in a straight line forward from the back cast, and then stop so that the momentum of the line carries it forward and out, instead of down in a curve to your feet.

Definitely stop by Fly South. The guys there are very helpful and will show you some tips that will vastly improve your casting. It's easier to learn by seeing it in person rather than reading about it on the Internet.

bd

This worked out better today. I'm definitely going to need some lessons but I made a little progression. Thanks for all the help guys. I knew this was going to be difficult thing to get good at bit I'm willing to put in the effort.

[j19bill]

Originally Posted by flyfish

You are right on going to Fly South. The boys can hook you up with tips, lessons, and good bunch of BS. Get everything setup and join us next year for the carp tourney.

Carp tourney...sounds interesting

Originally Posted by Travis C.

Sorry about that...

Definitely get a casting lesson with either of the guys at Fly South or Cumberland Transit both close to each other and will help with learning curve.

Then practice, practice, practice.

The hardest concept gear fisherman have coming over to flyfishing is letting the rod do the work. You're not relying on the weight of a lure to send the line shooting thru the guides instead the weight of the line to carry the near weightless fly.

Going to need alot of practice...

Originally Posted by jad2t

When I was learning how to flyfish I used to cast in my front yard with the end of the flyline tied in a knot. You need to get lots of practice in before you take it to the water or you're in for a very frustrating day. Best of luck. When you catch your first fish on the flyrod, even if it's a 3 inch bluegill, you'll be hooked for life. That's how I got hooked when I was about 15. I'd rather catch a 1lb bass on a flyrod than catch a 5lb bass on regular gear anyday.

Looking forward to the first fish. I'm sure it will be quit different then just reeling one in on regular gear.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by bd-

This is actually a bit backward. A weight forward line has all its weight in the front section, so it will load the rod better at short range of 30 ft or less. Double taper is harder to cast at short ranges because you don't have the full weight of the line to load the rod.

On long casts WF and DT feel more alike because the entire weighted part of the line is in play and can load the rod.

WF line will definitely be easier for someone who's just learning.

bd

I may not have typed clearly what I was thinking.

All fly lines are designed to weigh the same for the first 30ft regardless of what the taper is on the line. All 5wt will weigh within the same as other 5wt and so forth.

Most fly rods are designed to optimally load once the line gets further than that 30ft mark. Sure a rod can cast at 10ft or 80ft too but after 30ft its doing more work than you are and gets a good flex.

j19bill- next time your out practicing pull out a couple rod lengths of line to start then add a little more out while practicing. It will be significantly easier than a short 10-20ft section to practice with. Also when you go back for your backcast turn your head and watch it. Stop at your stopping point watch the line straighten, feel the rod flex and that is your going forward point. Even if you let it hit the ground a few times just to get the feel of it.

My biggest problem on a daily basis casting is slowing down and trying to do with my arm what my rod is supposed to be doing on its own.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by j19bill

Looking forward to the first fish. I'm sure it will be quit different then just reeling one in on regular gear.

Once you get the casting down, pick a place that has panfish and get some poppers or pheasant tails/a float.

Panfish you'll catch a ton, get casting work, learn to fight a fish and even some practice negotiating current seams if its a creek.

Then pack up for the Caney. I have seen many times a new person take up fly fishing go to the Caney for the first trip and all the cast problems arise on what can be a tough river and go home frustrated/discouraged with fly fishing not to mention no fish.

[Saltwaterwalt]

Yeah, the guys at Fly South are great. Jim does a casting seminar with just a stick and small diameter rope. It really shows how important technique is. Also the Hendersonville Flyfishing Club meets the second Tues of each month at Woodys Steakhouse in Hendersonville. Though you probably wouldn't want to drive that far from Smyrna.