fundamentals
Well Bravo 252,now you've done it....!welcome to the world of Fly Casting and then there is fly fishing!
I teach fly casting and fly fishing to hundreds of men and women every year:in fact almost every day;..."to become a fly fisher you must master a few of the fundamenatals of fly casting."The other replys are correct,the most important item is practice,but,you need to know what to hell you are practising! Do not practice with that line,(tip system)it is a fishing line,not necessarily a casting line. Buy yourself an easy to cast Weight Forward floating line with a colour change incorporated IE: "Loop Opti-stream(BEST FOR TEACHING)",Hardy Mach 1 Trout,Greys Platinum XD ,and others from major manufacturers. Otherwise,I would suggest if you get one without the colour change, find the sweet spot (back end of the weight forward taper) and mark it with a black magic marker,6 or 8 inch strip.This is the optimum loading location on the line for a single pick-up. Remember,the best casters in the world make it look easy;because it is! The so called back-cast is really an up-cast,begin your cast with the rod tip touching the water or grass(tip down)...gradually pick up the rod/line making sure the line has constant tension,increase speed gradually or accelerate gradually,then from 10-11 o:clock a greater acceleration is used and a distinct stop is applied at 11 and then you follow through to about 1 o:clock or perhaps 2.Your line will be travelling at about a 45degree angle and will have enough speed to effectively load your rod and this angle gives you enough time to prepare for your forward cast segment. Remember Gravity has effect on al things. If your rod is "swooshing" you are working too hard!When you feel the line load you are about ready to begin you forward motion,,do bend the rod tip against the line load ,like a pole vaulter,let the rod do the work; Accelerate gradually with the tip bending and do have a distinct stop at about 10:30 or so,and follow through. Remember,always begin your cast with the rod tip down,see the sweet spot,gradual accelerations,distinct stops and follow throughs,don't work too hard and practice no more than 15 minutes at a time(important) we go brain dead!The pick up sets up the entire cast..make sure your wrist isn't bending too much and bring your arm back into a comfortable position with your shoulders and hand slightly higher than your shoulders;eye level.
With an agressive pick-up,you throw the line behind you onto the grass or other surfaces,resulting with a disasterous forward cast and the fly hitting you on the back Practice looking at your cast,follow it back. There are 2 types of casters;those that look behind and those that don't...both correct. By the Way...Steve Rajeff watches his cast...interesting ;many time world distance champ'
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