im a newbie, getting my distance ok now but my fly line seems to whip quite fast and slap the water rather than gently hit the water like the experienced guys i see in the lake

any ideas?

You could try finishing your forward stroke earlier/higher and not following through till your loop has turned over . Keep at it ,you will get the hang of it in no time... PJ

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When you can see without being seen,strike without knowing why,and guess correctly where the best fish lie,they have taught you all they can.
(T.C. KINGSMILL MOORE)

Stop your rod higher and follow the line down

Imagine your rod is a paintbrush ........ the forward and final cast to deliver line and fly is just the same as flicking paint off a brush. If the paint is going too low just flick it higher.

When false casting paint nice short straight lines on the sky ...... then flick.

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ランカシャー·ラッズの

feel the weight of your line on your last backcast in the rod and hold tight the loose line in your other hand.

Cast forward and when you see the line starting to straighten out in front of you.....let go of the loose line in your other hand and let the line fly out, eventually it will run out of speed and come down gentler than normal.

the next step after this would be the double haul.

good luck, and keep trying.

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cast more gently.

thanks guys, went out today for a practice, looked a right nana on the village green but seems to be a lot better after the advice. hitting the ground soetimes on my backcasy now though any thoughts

Based on the previous advice which stopped your forward cast going 'too far' toward the water. Have a guess at what might be causing your back cast too go to far back.

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Time is a stream I go fishing in.

cast higher on the back cast

bring your rod hand up to your face on your back cast... you'll stop before you hit it.
This will produce a high back cast and keep your line off the ground