hi all, im relatively new to fly fishing been out a fair bit this year but ive had no real training which im hoping to get on pay day.

im still catching fish my cast isnt perfect and it usually isnt till about an hour in my line seems to straighten out.

anyway when ever i swap onto a small buzzer, or anything small 7 times out of 10 when im casting the fly will strike the leader when im casting forward.

i figured this was me not letting the line unfold behind me and being a bit hasty when casting so i tried slowing it down and it slightly improved but still getting that strike.

and the other 3 times i put it down to luck,

any suggestions or is it really getting an instructor to sort out my cast for me

instructor best to sort it, sounds like a tailing loop, possibly putting the power in too soon, give your line a stretch too

I feel like i'm qualified to answer this one!

Reaper as zoomer says an instructor would be the best thing. They really need to see what the exact problem is and what you're doing that causes it

HI', the lads are right, but as one who used to teach for a year or two, might I suggest a quick dodge that I used. I videod the odd 'difficult' pupil while they were casting, and showed them the results. If you can get someone to do that for you, it might help in the short term; but buying a casting lesson is a very sensible investment. I wish the opportunity had been available to me as a beginner. TerryC

Hi,
This might help until you get a casting lesson?

I assume your using a tapered leader; either bought or one you've made-up your self? Well, the last bit of tippet usually 4ft, or so, and of a lighter breaking strain, can sometimes be difficult to turn-over; but if you shorten that last bit of tippet to about 16-18ins, in length it will turn over and present your fly in a neater manor. Also give the line in your left hand (if your a right hand caster) a little tug just before the line straitens out!

This is not a perfect solution! But it may help in the short term!

Best way to learn is get out there; and remember, even the most seasoned fly angler makes mistakes on a regular basis. Your not alone !!

What size tippet are you useing?Might be worth dropping down a size the way i use to work out what size tippet to use is to divide hook size by 4 and that is the size of tippet to use. eg size 16 hook divide by 4=4 so use a 4x tippet.

if your new to fluff chucking ,stick to this simple process.
Tuck your elbow into your side and dont let it move away from your body.
only use your forearm from the elbow upwards to move the rod in a 10 oclock to 2 oclock movement
You will find if you hold the rod with your forearm horizontal the tip of the rod should be at 10 oc mark, when you bring the rod up so your forearm is vertical the rod should now be at the 2 oc point, this is because of the angle your wrist is giving the rod.
short lines , faster rod movement , longer lines slower movement and dont forget that short pause at the top of the back stroke to let the line straighten, its all about timing, practise will improve you no end.
this is a very simplistic method, but i find when my casting goes alittle boobies up ,i revert to this method and within a few casts im back to normal, i dont double haul in the true sense of the word, although i do put a long line out just get some yardage of line in the air and then release on the forward stroke as the line straightens, allow the rod and line to do the work , if you put loads of welly into it you aint doing it right. If you want to pay of tution then make sure you get a good instructor, ask aroundit wil pay dividends in the long run

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