dog legging

[bronjuan]

Hey all,

Ive had some issues with my sink tip dog-legging upstream. This is clearly an issue as it really messes up most of your drift.

Some days I have it, some days I dont. Someone told me it was because my anchor wasnt parallel to my cast. I thought that was the case for awhile, as I seemed to have corrected it...but on the weekend it was back with a vengence. I watched my anchor closely and it was all good.

Any suggestions?

[btree]

You mean your sink tip lays out upstream as your cast finishes, or it dog-legs in a bad way during the drift/swing?

I've had problems with my tip/leader laying out up stream when casting river left (I'm right handed), and the problem eventually went away for the most part this spring - not sure why, but I think you are right. Probably an anchor location issue - must obey the 180 degree rule or pay dearly.

On your forecast, your rod tip may not be taking a path that is straight. I find that with my single hander I can curve my casts by curving my stroke. Curve the rod tip path to the left, and the tip of the line goes right, and vice versa. You also might be doing something like what's described here, but with a two hander....or not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5_PhMOUMUA

Fun to watch any way.

I think that since the usual spey cast is delivered off vertical rather than directly overhead, it's certainly an issue since any under or overpowering issues will cause a curve/kick. Compound that with anchor point issues and other casting issues...and snafu.

[BCBound]

Could it be something as simple as your stance? As in not being square to your target, which some times causes a shift or pivot in your upper body without concious thought?

Just spit balling. I often have no idea why my line does what it does once I start my cast :P

[bronjuan]

You mean your sink tip lays out upstream as your cast finishes, or it dog-legs in a bad way during the drift/swing?

I've had problems with my tip/leader laying out up stream when casting river left (I'm right handed), and the problem eventually went away for the most part this spring - not sure why, but I think you are right. Probably an anchor location issue - must obey the 180 degree rule or pay dearly.

On your forecast, your rod tip may not be taking a path that is straight. I find that with my single hander I can curve my casts by curving my stroke. Curve the rod tip path to the left, and the tip of the line goes right, and vice versa. You also might be doing something like what's described here, but with a two hander....or not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5_PhMOUMUA

Fun to watch any way.

I think that since the usual spey cast is delivered off vertical rather than directly overhead, it's certainly an issue since any under or overpowering issues will cause a curve/kick. Compound that with anchor point issues and other casting issues...and snafu.

Ya, looks like that video...I'm right handed and it happens on river left aswell. Gonna check to see if I'm pulling the rod tip across my body (top hand moving left) rather than just dropping the rod butt towards my gut.
Funny enough, now that I think of it, the day on the river that I lost it was after I was out on the field practicing. I guess I should get out there again!

[speyghillie]

Hi bronjuan,
Without seeing you cast and if your anchor Placement is ok, i would say its Tracking on the forward stroke (top leg of the line on the forward cast being out of alignment from the bottom leg of the line) which kicks the line out to the side.
As you are about to make your forward cast try bringing your top hand in a bit closer to your shoulder, or think of keeping the rod more up right on the forward cast.
Hope this helps.

Gordon Macleod
Scott Mackenzie
DTX Pro Staff
North America.

[bronjuan]

Hi bronjuan,
Without seeing you cast and if your anchor Placement is ok, i would say its Tracking on the forward stroke (top leg of the line on the forward cast being out of alignment from the bottom leg of the line) which kicks the line out to the side.
As you are about to make your forward cast try bringing your top hand in a bit closer to your shoulder, or think of keeping the rod more up right on the forward cast.

Hope this helps.

Gordon Macleod
Scott Mackenzie
DTX Pro Staff
North America.

Thanks for your help guys, I'll let you know how I make out!

[btree]

Funny enough, I had a bad case of this very problem, along with a few other issue. Chief among them was only being able to cast about 60ft with any control!!!! Along with the dog-leg, I got some sweet knots in my poly tip, and then in my leader once i gave up on tips. And I just couldn't seem to fix any of my issues today.

I was trying a line that I'm not exactly in love with though - a bit light for my rod, or at least the way I'm casting. According to the rod, it's supposed to be a perfect match, but according to my casting, it's about 100 grains on the light side - perhaps ~150. Time to go back to what's familiar and what was working a few days ago. Perhaps it also might be time to think about retiring that line until I have a rod that matches it better...

It's funny how going with a lighter line can be more work....man am I sore!

[Dfisher]

At the M &Y speyclave, anchor placement during spey casts was one of the things talked about during the demos. Make sure you don't put your anchor too far ahead, and try to have it as straight as possible. A crooked anchor will cause line stick and less distance. Also one thing that was pointed out, if trying to correct a problem try casting a floating line. If you can do that well then move on to the sink tips.

[Coastrider]

Call me stupid but im new to fly fishing and spey is also quite foreign, how ever when I think anchor line im assuming the running line? Please correct me if im wrong but im still learning the terminology

[btree]

The anchor is formed by the line which is touching the water, often just your leader or sink tip.


Your running line is usually in your hand and wraps around your reel - it's that thin fly line between the head and your backing