Switch Cast?

Fish Gazer · 04-04-07, 08:29 PM

I was watching a video of a switch cast. What's the difference between it and a roll cast? I couldn't really tell from the video how you get enough power to get the line up and out of the water unless there is current? There also looks like there is a little twitch just after the back cast prior to the forward cast. When would this cast be more appropriate vs a roll cast?

Thanks,

Jeff

Kent · 04-04-07, 10:27 PM

The switch cast is a roll cast (or a spey cast, if you prefer). Some would also refer to it as a dynamic roll cast.

The idea is to get more line into the "d"-loop (and perhaps even get it with an upwards point). With more line in the d-loop, you can make a longer/easier roll cast.

The "little twitch" you are seeing is probably to get the point of the d-loop going up. It also gets a bit more of the d-loop out of the water' surface tension.

So, you make the standard roll cast motion, but rather than just lay the rod back to form the d, you power it enough to throw some of the line behind you. The backcast power stroke will have just the hint of an upward component to throw the point of the d into a point. But still less than a normal backcast - ideally the leader and fly will just "kiss" the water beside and slightly in front of you. Then you follow with a normal forward stroke (and bang out 60-80' of line

).

Fish Gazer · 04-05-07, 10:28 PM

Thanks Kent

You know, I think we worked on that for just a few minutes on the soccer field. If I remember correctly I had some problems with the timing. I did not realize it is the same cast as a spey cast. I have a Krieger cd I think I will watch again on spey casting. It appeared to have a lot more energy then the standard roll cast.

None of this is hard, its just hard to do well.

Thanks again, the nerd

Jeff

Kent · 04-05-07, 10:39 PM

Jeff, spey casting is roll casting. What makes the spey different is the "fancy" manuevering of the line, leader & fly to place them in optimum position for making the roll.

Whose video are you watching?

Fish Gazer · 04-05-07, 10:48 PM

Kent, I have a copy of the Essence of Fly Casting by Mel Kreiger (the second edition and the 1st). A long with the 2nd edition was an extra cd on spey casting by Mel. I have not veiwed it in a couple of years, but do not remember it as being a five star piece of work. Nothing against Mr Kreiger, mind you.

My daughter ordered the wrong cd and when I called about the order, guess who answered the phone, ............Mrs Kreiger. Said Mel was doing a clinic somewhere. (hope I am spelling Kreiger right, been working a ton)

Jef

04-04-07, 08:29 PM	#1
Fish Gazer Native Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodstock Posts: 1,472	Switch Cast? I was watching a video of a switch cast. What's the difference between it and a roll cast? I couldn't really tell from the video how you get enough power to get the line up and out of the water unless there is current? There also looks like there is a little twitch just after the back cast prior to the forward cast. When would this cast be more appropriate vs a roll cast? Thanks, Jeff

04-04-07, 10:27 PM	#2
Kent Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: LaGrange, GA Posts: 1,489	The switch cast is a roll cast (or a spey cast, if you prefer). Some would also refer to it as a dynamic roll cast. The idea is to get more line into the "d"-loop (and perhaps even get it with an upwards point). With more line in the d-loop, you can make a longer/easier roll cast. The "little twitch" you are seeing is probably to get the point of the d-loop going up. It also gets a bit more of the d-loop out of the water' surface tension. So, you make the standard roll cast motion, but rather than just lay the rod back to form the d, you power it enough to throw some of the line behind you. The backcast power stroke will have just the hint of an upward component to throw the point of the d into a point. But still less than a normal backcast - ideally the leader and fly will just "kiss" the water beside and slightly in front of you. Then you follow with a normal forward stroke (and bang out 60-80' of line ). __________________ Kent Fly Fish GA

04-05-07, 10:39 PM	#4
Kent Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: LaGrange, GA Posts: 1,489	Jeff, spey casting is roll casting. What makes the spey different is the "fancy" manuevering of the line, leader & fly to place them in optimum position for making the roll. Whose video are you watching? __________________ Kent Fly Fish GA

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04-05-07, 10:28 PM	#3
Fish Gazer Native Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodstock Posts: 1,472	Thanks Kent You know, I think we worked on that for just a few minutes on the soccer field. If I remember correctly I had some problems with the timing. I did not realize it is the same cast as a spey cast. I have a Krieger cd I think I will watch again on spey casting. It appeared to have a lot more energy then the standard roll cast. None of this is hard, its just hard to do well. Thanks again, the nerd Jeff

04-05-07, 10:48 PM	#5
Fish Gazer Native Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodstock Posts: 1,472	Kent, I have a copy of the Essence of Fly Casting by Mel Kreiger (the second edition and the 1st). A long with the 2nd edition was an extra cd on spey casting by Mel. I have not veiwed it in a couple of years, but do not remember it as being a five star piece of work. Nothing against Mr Kreiger, mind you. My daughter ordered the wrong cd and when I called about the order, guess who answered the phone, ............Mrs Kreiger. Said Mel was doing a clinic somewhere. (hope I am spelling Kreiger right, been working a ton) Jef