Leader turnover

[HorseFly]

I know this seems like an elementary question, but I was taught the only stupid question was the one you didn't ask. So ... here goes. As I try and refine my casting skills I've noticed that I can only get the leader to lay out straight a fraction of the time. It doesn't really pile up, but it doesn't lay out straight either. I've tried tying my own leaders and that seems to help. I'm wondering if I have a problem with line speed. My hope is that someone can share their observations on what contributes to good leader turnover.

thanks

[BLACK KNIGHT]

Joe Humphrey taught a seminar I attended and one point I took away from it was you don't necessarly WANT your leader to settle out perfectly straight, especially re: dry flies.
The thought being, and I have to agree, that drag shows almost immediately after a cast w/ a straight leader.

[fishindoc]

Horsefly,
There are many reasons for a leader not turning over. The construction of the leader itself. Not taking time to straighten it before casting. Stopping your casting stroke too low on the final forward cast. Not having a balanced system between the fly size and leader/tippet diameter. Casting too easy to turn the leader over. Casting too hard and having the leader streach out and spring back while falling to the ground. Experimenting with the above topics should help to narrow down the cause. Once you determine the cause we will all help come up with a solution.
scott@atlantaflyfishingschool.com

[HorseFly]

Thanks guys,

BK; Good point. I was up in the GSMNP a couple of weeks ago fishing water that was a good bit faster than I'm accustom to and received a good lesson in mending and keeping a little slack in the line.

fishindoc; Thanks for the input. After reading your post I started thinking (always a dangerous thing) about some of the points you raised. I pulled out Tom McNally's book and read through the leader design section. Bingo, balance between the fly size and leader/tippet. I'm guilty of trying to use the same leader to throw small Drs as well as poppers and weighted streamers. Also, you point about stopping the casting stroke too low. I got out in the yard and paid more attention to my final cast. Guess what? I'm tend to deliver at the point I'm aiming, not a couple of feet above the water. This gives me a couple of things to work on.

Thanks for the help!

[The Owl]

Horsefly, I can't add to the above advice.......just wanted to say....

GREAT NAME ! http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif


Owl