problem casting

[Lurch]

Help Please!!!
Sometimes when I am casting one of 2 things happens !: my fly catches onthe nail knot at the end of my fly line
or 2:my fly hits my rod about 2 feet from the tip

any suggestions???

Thanks for any help
Lurch

[Kent]

You have discovered the tailing loop - the bain of most casters everywhere. Search the board & you'll find many references.

http://www.flyfishga.com/images/tailing.gif



In all likelihood, your stroke is too short for the length of line you are casting. Or you are laying on the power too early in the stroke, making a yank on the line rather than a gradual acceleration & then a power snap, i.e. speed-up-and-stop.

You'll find some references to dropping the rod-tip at the completion of the cast. Ignore this, as it is only a treatment of the symptoms, not a cure for the cause. And it opens up the loop, robbing the cast of its efficiency.

[Phil]

http://www.sexyloops.com


The first part is a tailing loop wouldn't guess at the other, but that site fixed some bad habits I had developed over the last few years of just fishing heavy streamers. I know there are some good ones here but the information on the site is just there already.

Short of paying for instruction that’s the best place I have found and it’s fantastic.



Phil

[Kent]

Phil, #1 & #2 are tailing loops. I second your pick of SexyLoops (http://www.sexyloops.com/flycasting/contents.shtml) - it's a great site.

[Lurch]

thanks Kent and Phil I will have to try some practicing and see if I can't correct my problem. I am so use to throwing a 7' 3wt moderate action rod I guess this 9' 4wt med/fast action is kicking my butt!!!

thanks again,
Lurch

[Phil]

thanks Kent and Phil I will have to try some practicing and see if I can't correct my problem. I am so use to throwing a 7' 3wt moderate action rod I guess this 9' 4wt med/fast action is kicking my butt!!!

thanks again,
Lurch
I have used a Winston WT 9' 4wt for years, trout, smallies didn't matter unless it was Striper, I had the Winston but last year I started going out west and fly fishing some lakes. Between the wind, distance and the large trout http://www.securenetworx.net/images/ducklakerb.jpg it was a bit more than I cared to keep doing with it. Then I ran across a very good deal in an Orvis T3 906-2 "mid-flex". I have never used a really "fast" rod before, I'd hate to see this in a "tip-flex", it took me about 6 hours in the yard to start getting the stroke right as I am not very coordinated. Now I am having trouble going from the faster rod back to the Winston but if I pull the distance back to within 50-60 feet I do OK again. Funny I am able to go right back to the T3 after casting the Winston.

I thought about trying to trade for a T3 904-4 or something fast like it, if I purchase another fly rod I have to factor in lawyer fees and the cost of getting a new place to put what stuff she’d let me keep. It’s expensive to be uncoordinated :(

Phil

[Grateful Sam]

Hey Lurch, do these things happen on your forward cast or your back cast? I bet the first happens on your forward cast and the second happens on your back cast. Try casting UP and back on your back cast if there is room for it.