perhaps one of the most difficult techniques that a new fly fisherman has to contend with, is adjusting for windy conditions. I have never really understood the need to oveline for windy conditions, where a simple adjustment of the technique would have a better result.
I really like this guys approach to casting agains the wind, and with the wind. Lough stly anglers would probably agree with it, as they have to contend with strong winds from behind, more often than not.
I hope the attached video, gives some assistance to anyone who needs it.

good vid, i have heard some pretty mental contradictions about casting in wind, some of which become very obviously nonsense by turning round and facing the opposite direction.

that guys voice gets really annoying after a while, it jammed half way through so i dont know if he mentions it but surely the first principle is keep the line tight and smooth, wind can only bend a loose line.

Played all the way through for me annoying voice or not he's good at what he does,yes he mentioned about keeping things tight and smooth.The one thing I'm curios about though Andre is both you and the bloke on the vid mention overlining rods when having to cast into the wind,but there is a train of thought about underlining,less dia of line to cut through the wind etc.What are your thoughts about this?

Neil

That's an interesting one.... I have never heard of overlining for wind, until I joined this forum, even less so about underlining. When I think about it, my logic goes something like this...... If two guys are fishing in wind, the one guy with a 4wt rod and line, and the other with a 5 wt rod and line. The guy with the 4wt, overlines to a 5wt, and in doing so puts himself with equal line weight to the guy with the 5wt.... what does the guy with the 5wt do? or is the 5wt, ok in the wind? Do various line weights have gradings for different wind speeds?... I don't think so.
The theory behind underlining for wind can apply the same logic. Yes, it would seem that the thinner diameter line should be less air resistant, but in the contect of the cast, is this really important, when it is the loop size that seems to be more critical to air resistance.
I think that overcomming the issues with wind, are better served with other tactics, than overlining or underlining, but anyone who is unable to achieve tight loops to cut through the air efficiently, (dare I say it?) the only other soution open to them, might be to change line weight. I must be honest, I have never tried to change line weight for wind, so I cannot comment on how it would work. It might work fine, but I don't like over or underlining rods for quite a few reasons, so I will go with the change in casting technique option which has served me well up to now.
I hope that answers you question, from my point of view.

Yes it does and thank you for such a detailed answer.The only reason why i asked the question was that i was having roughly the same chat/discussion with a fishing buddy the other day.I have a 9'6''#6 G-Tec that i use with a Rio Gold #6,which as you probably know is slightly heavier than normal standards.My mate was trying to convince me that id be better off putting a #5 Gold on it.

Neil

I think if it achieves the desired result, then it can't be bad. I just think that a slight adjustment to the casting stroke is a whole lot easier than changing lines. Certainly if the adjustment to the cast doesn't work, then yes, do the line change. the other alternative of course, is to change complete outfits, like, go for a faster actioned rod for more punch, or even a slower one, if it gives you better loops. I just don't know, but for me, to change any tackle matching setup for the purposses of countering wind, seems a little self defeating.
Theres always the argument in favour of a setup change when light tackle simply doesn't perform in certain winds. such as heavy cross wind, but then I would discard the 4 wt rod and line and pick up the 5wt rod and line, but I probably wouldn't overline the 4wt.

It can be hard work facing the wind and casting low at the front and high at the back.

i also turn round and back cast into the wind. It can be very effective when double hauling, and not so much hard work. I have had great days fishing this way when no one else will face the wind.

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[/COLOR] Ohanzee, are you sure about that?



Andre, I agree with you about overlining , all it does is slow down the recovery of the rod and tends to open the loops up.
Bets way to cast into the winds is as shown in the video you have posted, try to get the fly to turn over as close to the waters surface as possibly it stops it being blown of course, also a haul in the forward cast to increase line speed.

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Frank Williams APGAI

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I find going up a grade with the gear is a big help, i.e, going form 6 weight outfit to a 7 weight outfit. Not keen at all on this overloading or underloading.
With the different casting, practice. Must admit, I prefer to cast into a wind than with the wind behind me. Unless it's too strong.

Thanks for answers Andre and Frank.I don't purposely over or underline my rods,but when buying a line like the Rio Gold you have no choice.What i mean is it it's heaver than then norm in the first,so when buying a line for say a #6 rod you either buy #6 line which will slightly overline or buy a #5 line which will slightly underline.Hope that makes sense,and what would you do if buying a line like the Gold?.Sorry for all the questions but this choice would face any fly fisherman wishing to buy lines like the Gold.Like i said i already have a Gold,but I'm interested in your views and thoughts on the subject that's all

Thanks

Neil