Roll Cast Woes

[danielhward]

All the instructional videos I have seen or the books I have read on the Roll Cast seem to teach it as a still water technique. I am able to go to a local lake and make beautiful roll casts with a small dry or nymph tied on. However everytime I try to use it to cast upstream on a real river or creek I seem to have way too much slack in the line to make an effective cast. Also whenever I try to make a roll cast with streamer I end up with a big pile line in front of me because the streamer seems to act as an anchor! Any advice you could impart to this beginner would be much appreciated!

[Josh Barnett]

Daniel H. Ward-

Many new casters seem to have this same problem, so don't feel like you are the only one. You were right on the money when you said that the "streamer acts as though it were an anchor". Here are some tips that may help you make more effective roll casts in a large stream, or any place with a strong current.

>Pull your rod all the way up, so that your hand is equal to the height of your ear.
>Make strong, swift forward "pushes" using your whole rod, not just the tip of it.
>When pushing the rod, and line, forward make sure that you have no slack line. Pull the line tight before attempting the roll cast.

Remember that the roll cast is a hard one to learn, and that, like any other style of cast, it will take time to perfect. And even when you feel it is perfect, there is always something new to learn.

After you've mastered the roll cast you should begin practicing the Steeple Cast, the Side Arm Cast, or the Hole Cast. These are all 'specialty' casts that you will only need in certain situations, but if that situation were to arise the cast style would benefit you.

I hope that my tips, and casting style will help you to learn, or be more efficient, (with) your different casts. If you ever need anything, feel free to e-mail me!

Joshua Trey Barnett

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Joshua Trey Barnett
Back Porch Fly Co.

4293 New Kings Bridge Rd.
Nicholson, Georgia 30565

1-706-354-8500
caddisfly08@yahoo.com
www.joshbarnett.dot.nu
www.expage.com/ngtf

[Scott Swartz]

Roll casting on moving water is more of a challange. You didn't mention how you were getting the slack but I would assume by casting upstream and having the line float back down to you. As soon as the line gets back and forms the loop beside you you need to be ready to roll back up stream. When roll casting with "anchors" like nymphs or streamers you can just let them pass you by and swing straight down stream then use a water haul to cast back up stream. If that won't due and you must roll cast then you might have to roll cast a couple of times to get the sunken fly to the top (like we do with sinking line) and then when it is on top you can make your cast.

Scott