By Jaysen Oldroyd
How to Use a Fly Fishing Rod
Casting with a fly rod is different from other forms of casting. Whereas other forms of casting require a heavy lure to pull the line, fly casting uses a heavy line to pull a light fly. The following steps will enable you to perform the standard overhead cast with a fly rod.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need:
- Fly rod
Fly reel
Fly line
- Fly rod
- Fly reel
- Fly line
Step 1
Once the line is threaded through all the rod guides and extends several feet beyond the rod tip, pull an additional fifteen to twenty feet of line from the reel and arrange the line at your feet.
Step 2
Hold the line firmly in your off hand and move the rod smoothly from the ten o'clock position to the two o'clock position. The line will begin moving backward until all of the line is extended behind you.
Step 3
Turn your head to follow the line's movement behind you. The line should unfold gradually and straighten out. The rod will "load" (flex) once the line is completely straight.
Step 4
Once the line is straight, begin slowly moving the rod forward. The rod will continue to flex against the resistance of the line.
Step 5
As the line is moving toward you, accelerate the forward motion of the rod until the rod reaches the nine o'clock or ten o'clock position. At the same time, pull downward on the line with your off hand (increasing the line's momentum) and then let go of the line. Any line pulled from the reel with then shoot through the guides and increase the length of your cast.
About the Author:
Jaysen Oldroyd received his juris doctorate degree from Brigham Young University in 2003 and has been writing professionally for two years. He previously published articles in the "Harvard Latino Law Review" and the "BYU Journal of Public Law." More recently, Jaysen has written and published a number of online articles pertaining to various forms of outdoor recreation.
