As a new fly fishing junkie, and after pinging the back of my head a number of times, I’ve finally decided to reach out for help. When you are casting and the wind is crossing from left to right or vice versa, what tricks are there, if any, to keep your fly traveling on your intended line? I cast right handed, so if the wind is crossing from my right, the fly usually ends up whizzing by my head, or into the back of it:face_with_head_bandage:. The only thing I can think to do in that scenario is cast backhand to my left, but I’m not very accurate doing it that way, and I lose a lot of distance. Maybe it’s just something I need to practice more? Or perhaps I should just stay home when the wind’s blowing.
“A ship is always referred to as she because it costs so much to keep one in paint and powder”
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
There is always the circular type cast, where you backcast really low and then come over the top on the final cast. It keeps the fly outside of the plane of the cast, thus not hitting you with lead eyes in the back of the head. And you can also just spin your body and use your backcast as your forward cast. It can be tough for some to keep an eye on the intended target so accuracy can suffer. Obviously these techniques are much better explained on the casting pond.
A good topic. Wind can really shut you down. I think that and distance are the main reason to go with an 8wt. That in itself really helps me.
A friend is a proponent of what he calls “punching your fly through the wind”. Can’t say I have mastered it, but basically you just kinda turn your forecast into a bit of a sharp short punch. You might lower your elbow and wrist a bit as you do. Seems to get your fly lower and faster. Keeping it lower in wind helps. Do not fail to have a good backcast though. Letting the line load is still critical.
Using more of a side cast, might have less power, but works. I try to keep as much of the line as low as possible. The lower, the less wind usually.
The type of fly can really make a difference too. I am learning some larger flies definitely cast better than others. Poppers, which I love, have lots of wind resistance. For me, wind can effect choice of flies. It can be a huge factor.
Finally, back wind can really be troubling. The back cast tend to tangle. Then all the forward momentum is wasted. I stand at an angle so I can watch my backcast. Making sure my line loads up is the single biggest thing that has helped my casting. I learned this from a Lefty Kreh video, and gosh darn it, it is one really simple thing that really works. I watch my backcast all the time now. Wind or no.
I think many folks on this board fish a whole lot more and know a whole lot more than me, but I hope this can work for you.
That’s why God made spinning gear! You can either back cast, over line your current set up or upgrade to a much larger rods size and weight which may be over kill for the fishery but at least you can deliver the fly to the fish… if you have to throw the fly that’s your three basic options, otherwise break out the spinning rod and wait for the wind to back off. My other suggestion would be to look for areas that are less effected by the direction of the blow.
I have always found that casting across my body works in this situation. If you pick up a copy of Joan Wulf’s Dynamics of Fly Casting DVD, she shows you a whole series of tricks for casting in heavy wind. Another option is to use your rod as a single handed spey rod, Mel Krieger has several DVDs out that show you how to do this. Good luck.
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
casting across your body is definately one good way… keeping the fly-line low is another… but the most important of all is keeping a tight loop, with as much linespeed as you can create…this means working on your casting before the wind starts blowing… the tighter the loops you can manage, the less wind resistance you will have, and the less problems wind will cause you…
Trust me, while your pinned down taking enemy fire and you call in for air support and you hear a jets afterburner crackin the air overhead would be the most liberating sound you could ever ask for. I haven’t experienced that first hand in actual combat, but I have trained in a similar scenario where it still makes the hair stand up on your body.
I cast lefty. Anytime I go on a guided trip, the guides are used to approaching flats so that the wind is favorable to righties. It seems the wind is almost always coming from my rod arm side. I usually have to resort to back cast presentations. You can change your grip so that your index finger, instead of your thumb, is pointing down the rod and it helps with accuracy.
Barbless hooks will make a mistake less of an ordeal too.
