I have this problem every time i go fishing with my 7 wt. in that I cannot cast any more than 70 ft.
This is problematic because whenever I am on a lake and am trying to cast to spooky pike/muskies/smallies in clear water i need a relatively long casting distance so i can retrieve for a long distance as well...
If i happen to use a 6 wt. instead of the 7 wt line on a 7wt. flyrod, will it improve my distance any more?
Hi Junaid,
No, the opposite is true. You would want to try overlining the 7 wt. rod by putting on an 8 wt. line. This is a very common tactic. Some people even go two weights over such as a 9 wt. line on an 8 wt. rod, but that isn't recommended for most casters.
If the 8 wt. line feels too heavy to you to cast properly, make sure you are at least using the weight forward version of the 7 wt. line, not a double taper design. There are ways of trimming a weight-forward line to make it cast further, but you don't want to go there...*g*
If the intent is distance casting, your rod is a consideration. Slow action rods are pleasant to use, but aren't the best choice for distance casting. You want a medium-fast to fast action graphite rod or a graphite compound taper using a stiff butt and a flexible tip.
It really helps to be able to cast a selection of different lines before you purchase the one you like. A number of flyshops will have demo lines on demo reels that you can try out on your rod.
When you are fishing with your buddies, try out practice casting their lines during the lunch break. The more combinations you try out, the more apt to find a line- and maybe even a rod -that works for you.
Finally, if you really crave distance, you should check into a shooting head setup with a running line. This is common steelhead fishing setup, but can be used effectively on stillwaters. A shooting head is the standard setup for fishing for the Lahontan Cutts on Nevada's Pyramid Lake. Shooting heads are tricky to handle, but they distance cast like demons.
All these suggestions are best for floating lines to slow sinkers. Just one of the problems with casting a long fast-sinking line is that most of your retrieve will end up fishing below where the fish are feeding. Retrieving for long distances requires a line that keeps the fly in the feeding zone for the longest period of time. For many flyfishers, that type of line is an intermediate-sink line.
Also, a tough one, the proper balance of fly type, weight, and air resistance, leader and tippet diameter-taper-length, all come into play in achieving the maximum distance. When you figure out the proper balance, the distance comes almost magically easy.
Make sure and check out a good casting video or get some casting lessons. Often this investment will get a reasonably good flyfisher over the hump, and ensure that years of enjoyment rather than years of frustration will follow.
Hope that helps. Should have raised enough points of disagreement to start a discussion! *G*
Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
