fly Casting Tune Up

Being true RiverBums, most of us fish all year and all the time, right? Yeah, I know, that's not reality. I used to fish almost as much in the Winter as at other times but I now fish far less when its cold; signs of old age and life happening hardcore I guess. This Winter, in particular, has been a brutal one for many parts of North America. That said, most of us probably need a little casting tune up. Here are a couple of things to try to make sure you can deliver the fly where you want when it counts this Spring.

1. Do some yard or park practice. A half hour or so casting at, around, and over every obstacle you can find in your yard will get you dialed in for the real deal.

2. Take the first 15 minutes of your next fly fishing outing to practice. Leave your fly off the leader and tie on a little indicator yarn. Practice on the water in a spot not as likely to hold fish. Once you're getting your timing back go ahead and tie on a real fly, but even then concentrate on good mechanics like keeping a straight rod tip path, making solid stops on both back and forward casts, and pausing long enough to allow the line to straighten on the back cast so you can load the rod properly going forward.

3. Also practice a few roll casts, single and double spey, single handed spey, aerial mends, slack line casts and assorted other casts you may need this season. The more you practice them the first time out the better prepared you will be when you encounter the first situation when they are needed.

Casting, even just practicing, is actually really fun. Let's face it though, it's not easy. That's one of the reasons the rewards of fly fishing are so much greater when it works out. So, give yourself some slack (not literally, that's bad) when you end up with a tailing loop and "wind" knots. The first trips of the season can be like that. You'll get your form back soon enough, and if you practice a little first you'll get your form back fast.