Casting in the Wind - June practice session
We can't always get out in perfect conditions, and I'd say that atleast on 90% of occasions we end up flyfishing in some sort of breeze. I can remember a particular club trip that continued despite a ex-cyclone passing very close to the coast off Townsville. We had a ball that afternoon in the flood waters, but casting for the less experienced amongst us (i.e. me) was a challenge at best!
Our newest CCI, Richard W led this particular session, which was attended by Dave, Richard S and Bob, who were all keen to get some tips about how to make the wind our friend.
There are numerous techniques that can be used, depending on the situation you find yourself in, including off-shoulder casting or simply casting with your off-hand when the wind is blowing into you rather than away (i.e. from right to left for right handers).
Roll casting would be another technique to use when the wind is strong enough to restrict your back cast.
Casting into the wind: aim your backcast a little higher to allow the wind assist the straightening of the line, and then shoot your forward cast low in an attempt to get 'beneath' the wind.
Casting with the wind: simply as above, just in reverse.
Another cool technique that Richard briefly touched on, revolved around an oval cast that kept 'constant tension' on the fly line. I think this is called the belgian cast (check out The Belgian Cast - Fly Fisherman).
As always, timing is everything!
Our newest CCI, Richard W led this particular session, which was attended by Dave, Richard S and Bob, who were all keen to get some tips about how to make the wind our friend.
There are numerous techniques that can be used, depending on the situation you find yourself in, including off-shoulder casting or simply casting with your off-hand when the wind is blowing into you rather than away (i.e. from right to left for right handers).
Roll casting would be another technique to use when the wind is strong enough to restrict your back cast.
Casting into the wind: aim your backcast a little higher to allow the wind assist the straightening of the line, and then shoot your forward cast low in an attempt to get 'beneath' the wind.
Casting with the wind: simply as above, just in reverse.
Another cool technique that Richard briefly touched on, revolved around an oval cast that kept 'constant tension' on the fly line. I think this is called the belgian cast (check out The Belgian Cast - Fly Fisherman).
As always, timing is everything!