Any one who has ever watched a skilled fly caster has been struck by the fluidity and grace of the casting motion. The ease and grace which an experienced fly fisherman exhibits as he casts can be very intimidating to novice casters. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions non-fly fishermen ask at Kennebec Drifters Guide Service is simply: “Is it hard to learn?”

Learning the basics of the casting motion, or stroke, can be very simple, often taking less then an hour. Developing, and fine-tuning the basic mechanics into a casting style that is most effective for the individual simply requires the practice to reduce the cast into “muscle memory.” This muscle memory allows the caster to essentially forget the cast, as the rod and line become an extension of the casters hand and arm. In its finest refinement the caster simply needs to look at a given spot on the water where he thinks a fish may be lurking, and deliver the fly to that spot correctly, without conscious effort.

Basically, the rod and your casting arm act as a lever, with your elbow as the fulcrum. This lever converts lateral energy into linier energy as it moves the line backwards on the back cast (lifting the rod tip). The bend of the rod helps to store energy, propelling the line more swiftly, and allows a transfer of energy as the line streams out behind the caster. This is called “loading the rod”. As the line stretches out to its fullest extent behind the caster, energy is stored in the rod and it’s at this point that the rod should be brought forward, allowing the maximum energy transfer into the forward momentum of the line. A good rod (one that’s best suited to the casters individual mechanics) will allow the caster to feel the weight of the line as it uncoils behind, which allows the caster to make the forward cast at the right time. Proper transfer of energy can propel the line and fly forward great distances. The average fly line is 90’ feet in length, however, the average cast is only 30’-40’.

The “classic” teaching method of keeping the rod tip's arc (the path the rod tip travels as the rod is lifted) between the ten o’clock and two o’clock position is a good starting point to help maximize energy transfer. As the caster lifts the line off the water he smoothly lifts the rod tip, accelerating the line. He applies power smoothly, bending the elbow while keeping the elbow close to the body and lifting his hand, the wrist stiff. Many were given a folded newspaper to tuck under the arm as an incentive to keep the elbow close. The caster would lift the rod tip in a straight line over the head, giving this cast the name “overhead cast”. This cast is the basis for almost all other casts and development.

All of this sounds daunting, but it’s really not, if you practice. Developing the cast into muscle memory allows the caster to read the water, watch for hatching insects, stealth fully move into a better position and still be able to drop a #22 BWO behind a rock in a 6” circle. Knowing WHY is very different. The finer points of hatch matching, and fly selection can be extremely difficult and tedious to learn. To make matters worse, different insects hatch at different time on every body of water. For Novice or in-experienced fly fishermen, a guided trip with Kennebec Drifters can help fine tune these skills. Casting Clinics are available (by prior arrangement) which are designed to teach the basics of the cast to beginning anglers and is suitable for teaching children, as well as more experienced anglers. We even have some equipment available. On water instruction regarding species identification, hatch matching, “reading the water”, and casting tips are only a question away.