Jack is definitely on the right track, but the thought can be taken much farther. THe standard casting platform technique is good for casting from a standard platform. Once in a while we have the ability while fishing to position ourselves like being on a standard platform.
Otherwise, we find ourselves casting in awkward positions, with the wind blowing the flyline in the direction of disastrous consequences. I practice casting more in odd positions than I do the standard position, because we find ourselves in odd positions more. But these are only odd and awkward positions if they are not practiced. I grew up fishing the banks of ponds, lagoons, and bayous in S. Louisiana, so positioning, odd casting angles, and accurate backcasting were the ONLY way to even hope to get a fly on the water, which was a bigger challenge than catching a fish. The hole in the foilage behind, that I had to backcast through, was almost always smaller than the area I was trying to hit on the water. Like Jack said, stand with the left shoulder facing the target, as cast across the chest. One can watch the backcast for timing, but one can also cast down the bank to the left without getting into the obstacles behind. One can also cast easily to the left shore when in the lead of a drift boat (while positioned in the leaning-post). Reverse that, and cast across the chest in the other direction for fishing the right-hand bank. Also, cast over the left shoulder if you are right-handed, if the wind is coming from the right. This also helps put the fly on the right bank while drifting without having to cast over the rower's head. Most of us cast more than one outfit. They all react different, with different timing. Watching the backcast each time we switch is the quickest way to adjust our casting timing to the new outfit. And it doesn't hurt to practice ambidextrous casting, with the other hand. It's only awkward if you don't practice it, and when you first practice it. I know people that cast better with their off hand because they rely on technique instead of strength. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jack Lehman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 9:10 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Bass Fly Line - Casting a Bass Bug > I'm not a certified instructor, but I help them sometimes in clinics. A > friend teaches a twist that's too late for me to shake my old bad habits > on, but I recommend it to beginners. All of us learned to cast facing > forward, "Orvis" style. If its not too late, learn to cast sideways, > that is across your body. Right handed? Turn your left side to the > target. This allows you to look back and see your backcast. 'Cause > whatever your backcast is doing, that's where your cast is going. You > have the backcast under control and going straight back and a little up > with a loop that's allowed to straighten, and that's probably what your > cast will do. Pull out too soon, or add a big arc, or whatever, and > you'll be fighting all the way thru your cast. You don't have to cast > this way all the time, but be accomplished enough to check yourself > whenever you feel its not right. > > Jack > Austin > > Steve Brettell wrote: > > > Yeah, when I was learning to cast, my instructor said to recite a > > little mantra on the back cast, like "[whatever town you live in] is > > great". This adds time to your backcast, allowing the line to > > straighten out. Around my house, even the lakes are small, and dark. > > Usually too choked up with algae and other weeds to do very well on > > the surface at all. I mainly fish from the bank. The biggest bass I > > caught was in a little creek about 10 feet wide. It was about a five > > lb. fish, caught on a zonker with about a six inch tail. > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.12/654 - Release Date: 1/27/2007 > >
