casting practice

[Allen Bole]

Gentlemen, I am practicing casting in my backyard with Cabela's wf5 f/s and am not getting a good straight line after my back cast.  Could the problem be the line or the rod length that I am using (8'6)? I am using a large arbor Metalist reel, so could the weight of the reek be causing this problem?  Thanks

[Chris Smith]

Hi Allen.

When you say you are not getting a straight line after your backcast, do you mean...

a.  Your line is piling up and your fly is dropping short of the intended target?
b.  Your line/leader/fly is curving to the left or the right?
c.  A combination of both

[Todd Huber]

I would have to say its the "winter cob webs".  Sounds like a casting stroke issue.  We need more info.  By straight line do you mean tight loop?

[Dejon Hamann]

Yeah, I mean - there are so many variables that go into correcting an error with someone's casting stroke. 

One good thing to do is record yourself.  Watching yourself cast can dramatically improve your skills and highlight big holes in your game.  Maybe your breaking your wrist, or timing your forward stroke to late, or 100 other things...

Here's a little test to help correct an error like you're describing.  Lay out about 20 or 30 feet of fly line in front of you on the lawn.  Now with one movement of the rod make the line lay out behind you as straight a possible on the lawn behind you.  Then forward.  One simple stroke. Stop. No false casting. 

[Don Strandberg]

Not sure what the prob is with the info you gave. I can say its not your gear. Many really good fisherman can not cast a flyline perfectly straight. As mentioned by Dejon. Taking one step at a time. Straigt backcast let it fall look at it is it straght. Come thru with a forward cast. Is that straight. Work on it. It so important when nymphing directly upstream, with flyline on the water, to shoot a perfectly straight cast. If you cast a cow tail or a loop you loose touch of your nymph.

What helps me with a straigt line cast is to come right over my head right between my eyes. Not off to the side. The rod is directly vertical, I can see my wrist centered between my eyes. Do not tilt the wrist or arm left or right. Lock the wrist straight back, straight forword. And keep the casting stroke very short. And end the forward stroke with the rod high. Do not drop it.

[Allen Bole]

Hi Allen.

When you say you are not getting a straight line after your backcast, do you mean...

a.  Your line is piling up and your fly is dropping short of the intended target?
b.  Your line/leader/fly is curving to the left or the right?
c.  A combination of both

Chris
It is B 
Latter in the day I was practice with all my others rods with no problem I hit the target all the time.

[Don Strandberg]

Cast right between the eyes straight over head. Your turning your wrist. Left or right. Its not the rod. If your wrist is locked in a straight line on the forward and back. You can not help to throw a perfectly straight cast.

[Chris Smith]

As someone with frequent tracking issues, the problem sounds familiar.

Concentrate on keeping the rod in the same plane throughout the forward and backcast.

That being said, there are times on the stream when that "cow tail" will serve you well. 

 

Hi Allen.

When you say you are not getting a straight line after your backcast, do you mean...

a.  Your line is piling up and your fly is dropping short of the intended target?
b.  Your line/leader/fly is curving to the left or the right?
c.  A combination of both

Chris
It is B 
Latter in the day I was practice with all my others rods with no problem I hit the target all the time.