Please Help

[FlyFishGA]

I pulled this from another thread on this board......please tell me why when I throw like the "No" (sort of side arm) I'm more accurate and completly straight and can lay the line out 100% better than goin' overhead like the "yes" drawing indicates....I'm left handed...does that matter?...I can get a little better distance like this too.....I'm stumped..I wanna do it right, but I have alot more luck like this.....

[Kent]

You got my attention with your name, FlyFishGA - that is my domain name -FlyFishGA.com

I think you have mis-interpreted the drawing a bit. The No sketch is not a side-arm cast. Both Yes and No are (near) vertical casts. The point of the No illustration was to show how casters sometimes move the rod in an arc in the vertical plane, kicking the tip around behind their head on the backcast. The Yes drawing is also a vertical cast but the rod tip moves straight back on the back cast, directing the line exactly opposite the forward cast - making it more accurate than a cast where the backcast is not directly opposite (180 degrees) from the target.

In fact, my guess would be that your side-arm cast is more accurate than your vertical for this very reason. From a sidearm stance, you are getting a backcast that is more in line with your target (perhaps because you see it), whereas your vertical backcast is going out of plane - around behind your head at more than 180 degreees opposite your target.

As far as left vs. right, or vertical vs. sidearm, there is no right or wrong in fly casting. The cast is all about what the rod and its tip does. Stand on your head and cast upside down with your toes - if you make the rod do the right thing, you'll have a good cast.

[FlyFishGA]

Hey thanks...makes me feel a little better....my cast isn't really a true side arm, its a little more of a 45 degree angle and sort of has a side arm flow... You are right about the pic....I just thought it was a little better example of stance and location of my rod....I've just found that my arm don't seen to wear out a quick over the course of the day throwing the way I do....glad to hear there's no real wrong way as long as it works...I agree, but you know there's someone out there that will argue...anyway thanks for the advice...

[Kent]

...glad to hear there's no real wrong way as long as it works...

..err..ah...just for the record - that's not exactly what I said.... rather that it's not right or wrong just because it's sidearm or vertical or LH or RH. But it can still be "wrong."

And yes, bad casts can work, but that doesn't make `em right unless you did `em on purpose. It just means the fish let you get by with a cruddy cast. And they often do, luckily.

That's why you'll hear a lot of people claim to catch a lot of fish in spite of the inability to cast well - many fish live or feed in easy-to-fish spots, and many will eat a fly with less than perfect presentation. But good casts will still catch more fish.


And as far as...

I agree, but you know there's someone out there that will argue

.........when you know me better, you'll realize that's what I hope for.

[FlyFishGA]

Gotcha..... ..you enjoy stirring the pot...lol....thanks for your help

[FlyFishGA]

WOW, not everyone at once...too much info.....I guess Kent's the only guy out there willing to help....thanks Kent..otherwise it's about what I expected

[Eric Cook]

Originally Posted by FlyFishGA

WOW, not everyone at once...too much info.....I guess Kent's the only guy out there willing to help....thanks Kent..otherwise it's about what I expected

Well, Kent is 100% right. So there is no need in every one else wading in and muddying the water.


Eric

[terry creech]

Lefty Kreh casts at about a 3/4 (45 degrees) angle - (a lot like a pitcher) so you're in fine company. I don't cast worth crap in the classic overhead manner myself. Sidearm is really great for relatively shorter distances and tight loops, esp. on smaller streams with lots of canopy. Everybody develops their own style over time but everybody has to play by the same rules as far as the principles (physics) go to throw a decent loop, make accurate casts, etc. There are some people on here who cast beautifully (I'm not one of them) and when NGTO (and other organizations) get together periodically there is almost always some casting instruction going on. I don't get to the Fall and Spring NGTO Flings as they're always scheduled around the opening of deer and turkey seasons (what's up with that anyway?) but those would be great to attend I'm sure.

[FlyFishGA]

Originally Posted by terry creech

Lefty Kreh casts at about a 3/4 (45 degrees) angle - (a lot like a pitcher) so you're in fine company. I don't cast worth crap in the classic overhead manner myself. Sidearm is really great for relatively shorter distances and tight loops, esp. on smaller streams with lots of canopy. Everybody develops their own style over time but everybody has to play by the same rules as far as the principles (physics) go to throw a decent loop, make accurate casts, etc. There are some people on here who cast beautifully (I'm not one of them) and when NGTO (and other organizations) get together periodically there is almost always some casting instruction going on. I don't get to the Fall and Spring NGTO Flings as they're always scheduled around the opening of deer and turkey seasons (what's up with that anyway?) but those would be great to attend I'm sure.

Thanks for the info Terry...I've found it easier that way...it may have come from necessity in the streams w/ canopy...never thought about it..actually thats where I started this...but it works...brought 12 to hand Saturday 2 of them some pretty natives...I must be doin' something right anyway..thanks again!