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Learning the casting gesture in fly fishing
Fly fishing differs from other techniques in that you must first learn the casting motion. This gesture, which may seem difficult to learn, is acquired fairly quickly, but requires certain qualities such as timing and coordination. To master the art of fly casting and become a complete angler, you need to practice regularly and force yourself to handle your rod in all conditions, so as to present your fly wherever your beloved fish are, whether in freshwater or in the sea.
This particularity is also a large part of its appeal, because if fly-fishing appeals to many of us, it's also because of the beauty of the gesture, the aesthetics of a line unfurling above the water and the complexity of the casts we must manage to acquire in order to propel our fly with precision, distance and/or delicacy.
The more you practice with your equipment, the more you can "tame" it and adapt to the characteristics of your rod in particular. It's important to practice with the same equipment rather than regularly changing brands, actions, lengths...
Then, to be a complete angler, you need to work on your movement and technique, to optimize rod loading and cast more accurately, faster and farther with the minimum of false casts and effort. Knowing how to load a rod and feel it working is the key to success. Be firm yet fluid.
You'll also need to learn the different types of throw: straight, backhand, horizontal, curved, parachute, putt and even one-handed Spey cast. There are many strings to add to your bow. Mastering the full range of casts allows you to adapt and fish in all conditions.
So practice and training are really important to get out of complicated situations and optimize your results, just as a golfer practices his swing and putting!
Subsequently, single and double pulls are also essential for efficient fishing (limiting false casts) and gaining distance. These casts are essential for certain species or types of fishing, notably reservoir fishing, sea fishing or casting large flies. But they are also invaluable when you want to fish for trout in larger rivers or simply optimize your movements. So it's a good idea to train in winter on the grass or in the reservoir to improve your efficiency. Obtaining a tight, efficient loop that cuts the wind, allows you to pass under branches and gain distance, is a must.
There are instructional videos on the Internet to help you learn and progress, again and again. Nowadays, many guides and fly-fishing clubs offer introductory and advanced casting courses. Think about it, as it saves you a lot of time and avoids the risk of learning the wrong gestures that will later be difficult to correct.
Choosing the right equipment
To practice our hobby, we need to acquire equipment that, regardless of price or brand, will enable us to cast our fly precisely where we want to in order to catch our target species. These days, manufacturers offer us a vast and varied choice that doesn't make our decisions any easier. However, acquiring high-performance equipment that is above all adapted to our needs is essential.
The cane
One of the most important factors is to find a balanced rod/silk/reel combination that suits not only your expectations, but also your casting style. The length of the rod, the power, but above all the type of action. This depends on the species we're after, the environment we'll be fishing in and our own technique. Each angler has a different morphology and therefore different skills, and above all a style and technique all his or her own. That's why a rod may suit one angler but not another, for reasons of power, action and use.
The choice of rod will also depend on your character and personality, in the sense that some people prefer slow-action, parabolic rods, while others are looking for a fast or even very fast rod that responds to the slightest action. Depending on the brand, blanks, varnishes and finishes and therefore actions will also be very different. A Sage, Winston, Devaux or JMC rod will not have the same characteristics for an equivalent model, so each angler will have his own preferences.
For the novice fly fisher, a rod that is neither too stiff nor too soft, i.e. with a semi-rapid or progressive action, will enable him to load his rod better and "feel" the action of the line on the rod. When you're just starting out, it's not advisable to use fast or very fast action rods (often the most expensive), which are not very forgiving of mistakes, otherwise you may not get the timing right and load your rod incorrectly.
Choosing the right rod for your hobby is essential, but not always easy. Take your time and make your choice based on your expectations and needs, but above all on your casting style.
Silk
Once the rod has been chosen in terms of length, power and action, the choice of line often comes second. The fly line enables us to send our flies to our targets and is an extension of our arm and rod.
Whether you're fishing for trout, migratory fish, predators or exotic species, the choice of line is of the utmost importance. Commercial silks are now very effective, but it's important to make the right choice in terms of weight, profile (shape and length of the spindle) and even color (discretion). A good rod with an unsuitable line, or a good line on a poorly made rod, will not have the desired effect, so it's advisable to get all the information you need and, if possible, to test the set to avoid disappointment.
These days, WF or Weight Forward (WF) lines are all the rage, offering real advantages such as faster, deeper loading of the blank and faster, longer casting. This is also the case with Triangle Taper (TT) bristles, which offer the same advantages, with perhaps a more polished presentation due to the more progressive tip. DT or Double Taper (double spindle) bristles are less widely used today, but still offer a much softer, more delicate presentation. This can be an argument of choice for certain types of fishing, notably dry fishing and sight nymphing where discretion is important.
The size of the spindle also depends on your rod (length and power), where you'll be fishing and the space available to deploy the line.
For migratory fishing, the profile, spindle size, head length and weight of your fly line are of paramount importance to cast correctly according to the river you'll be fishing, but also to the size of your flies, casting lengths and outdoor conditions. Not having the right fly line can ruin your fishing trips!
All too often, I come across anglers with a line that overloads their rod or, on the contrary, is too light for optimum loading (a rarer case). The best way to load your rod properly is to buy the right line, and your dealer will be able to help you make the right choice. Ideally, you should try it out or find out which model suits you best. There are also forums and websites that can provide you with additional information depending on the brand of your rod.
To improve and optimize your casts, line maintenance and cleaning are essential. Many anglers forget this basic rule. A line gets dirty very quickly and loses its gliding qualities.
The reel
As for the reel, depending on the species, it will take a more or less important place in your equipment, and will have a major or lesser utility. Apart from design, which is increasingly important these days, the main qualities to look for are weight, capacity and braking system. A reel that's too heavy or too light won't balance your rod properly and will therefore be unsuitable. This is a point not to be forgotten, as fly-fishing casting is a repetitive gesture, and good balance helps to avoid discomfort or even pain.
For powerful species such as salmon or for exotic fishing, a reel equipped with a quality drag is essential to fight these fish. It must also be able to hold a certain amount of backing, depending on the species.
Whereas for trout, as a general rule, the reel is not as important except for very large specimens in certain rivers and/or countries, where the drag system will need to be very progressive and gentle. A light, well-balanced reel with an anti-swash device may be all you need.
To sum up, it's very important to have the right equipment, adapted to the species you're after and/or the type of fishing you do, but also to your fishing areas and above all to your skills, fishing style and techniques. Take your time to make your choice. Ask professionals, friends, clubs and stores to help you find the right equipment for your hobby.
Throwing, on the other hand, is an art to be worked on for the rest of our lives. We are fortunate to learn and improve over time. Spending time with your rod undeniably helps you to get to grips with your equipment and make better use of it.
