casting

I wanna try to fish dry flies but i suck at casting.  i have no problem gettin it out there when ive got a small shot on and an indicator, but with a dry fly on, my line doesnt fall straight out, it lands all bunched up.  how come?  im a complete noob so can someone suggest just the basics? thanks

can you explain what you mean by "loads up"

the line is dumping vertical because you are not stopping you forward cast...
just like you stop in your back cast, you need to accelerate and stop in your forward cast

Trans, if you pin your elbow to your side and do not move it. The movement of your forearm is all your need to practice. At each forward or backcast stop the rod hand abruptly. There is a hesitation that takes place to load the rod and carry the line through its arch. You mentioned loading of the rod and what is it?, it is the rod flexing once the line has straighten out w/ each cast. This stores energy to propel the line.

Very easy way to tell what your doing w/ the cast is to position your self quartered so you can see the back and forward cast. Your be able to view the motion of the rod and the line.

Start out small most fish are caught w/in 30 ft of yourself. No need to go for distance at this time, this will happen over time.

Y' know how you open a screen door --i.e., you grab the handle to pull and push the button with your thumb. That's the power move in fly casting that will let your line travel forward, straighten out and drop. To end the forward cast, push with your thumb, pull back with your grip.
 
Also, aim about 4'-6' above the spot you're trying to hit with your fly.  Do not let your rod tip drop down to horizontal.
 
Your comment that you do better with weight on the leader suggests you're lobbing rather than casting. The difference is that a cast is a brisk movement with a distinct stop on both the forward and back casts. The lob isn't brisk and kind of eases into changes of direction.
 
When you start your cast, you have the rod tip low and accelerate through the back cast, right?
 
Finally -- here's an exercise. Go out in your backyard, let out as much line as you can keep airborne, then go into your back cast/forward cast. Repeat 20 times. Expend as little energy as possible during this exercise. No rocking back and forth, wind ups or other heroics. Notice how you can feel the line load the rod at end of each cast. Let out more line as you gain proficiency. Keep this up and soon you'll be double hauling. (Note: under actual fishing condtions, there's no need for more than two or three false casts, certainly not 20)
 
Hang in.

ORIGINAL: saltflyfisher


Very easy way to tell what your doing w/ the cast is to position your self quartered so you can see the back and forward cast. Your be able to view the motion of the rod and the line.

Start out small most fish are caught w/in 30 ft of yourself. No need to go for distance at this time, this will happen over time.

 
 
Also hold the rod horizonal at the waist. Easier to see the line better at this level than over your head.

This guy does a prety good job of explaining things.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcG4XkgG9c&feature=related
 

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