The Expert Guide to Fly Fishing Gear Casting Techniques

Fly fishing is a fun sport to involve yourself in, and it requires a lot of skill to get the perfect cast down so you can bring in the biggest fish. The easiest part of the cast is the back cast, but this is not necessarily usable in every situation, to begin with. 

The most difficult part, however, is bringing your rod back forward and into the water where the bait will bring you the fish you want. Before you go fly fishing next, check out the five gear casting techniques that are in the information presented to you below.

1. Start Simple

If you are just learning to fly fish, start with a simple cast like the roll cast, which only requires basic fly fishing gear for the front and the back. This method is best when you do not have ample space though, such as when you are in a small canal-like area or when you are under trees. 

You want your rod tip to start behind you and it should be turned to the outside rather than towards you. While it is turned, make sure that it points to where you want your bait to eventually go, and make sure to bring your rod back to eye level after casting.

2. Become a Master

Though much more difficult, you can try your hand at the bow and arrow cast tye. It does take a certain level of precision to master landing the bait where you want it to go in a canal or river, however. 

You will start with the tip pointed at the location for the bait, and bring your line back to your ear in a ball. Your line should go straight to your target if you are lined u in the way that you should be, but again, this is a more delicate type of cast.

3. Double Hall Casts

Double hall casts are great if you want to use larger flies as part of your gear for your fishing adventure. This type of cast gives you an added amount of tension so that you can throw the extra weight just as far. 

You will start with the simple cast, then start to pull on the slackline in order to give that tension you want. Again, tug the line when you bring your line back forward too, repeating until you find the perfect amount of resistance for your cast.

4. Steeple Casts

Steeple casts are a bit more of a vertical cast for when you are in a tight space, just like the first on this list. You want the backcast to go extremely high in the air so that you can avoid any obstacles in your way. 

You will stop the cast when the tip is at your eye, lowering it towards the target you are looking to hit. If you go down too fast, you can scare away the fish, so do be careful about the strength that you put behind your throw.

5. Use Some Nymphs

Many fly fishermen use gear like nymphs as they sink quickly and move rapidly to attract some of the best fish at the bottom of the water. When using this gear, you will use the simple type of cast, but lift the tip of your rod when you are going upstream with your rod. 

The goal is to have the nymph get to the water before any other part of your fishing pole. This allows them to sink to the bottom as they are supposed to do, as without, there is not even a point in using this type of gear.

Final Thoughts

To fly fish, you have to be versatile in the types of casts you use and in the gear you use. If one thing is not working at your location, switch to something else and experiment with some of the more complicated casts. 

Once you find the method that is most comfortable and works best for you, you will reel in some fish in no time. The list above is not all exclusive either, as there are many other techniques that are much more complicated for you to use in the water.