Back to Basics

[iainjay]

Do members find that their casting basically go tits-up at intervals during the course of a days fishing?Having only taken up salmon fishing this season I took a lesson back in Feb with Ian Gordon,and although not throwing out a long line I became really comfortable with my casting.When it came to actually fishing I started adding a 5' quick-sink poly with a 6' leader and flies of varying sizes.(Is that the right kind of set-up?) I'm using an IG 65' floater.
I found that with heavier flies it just wasn't happening.Then there was the trial & error of finding the right amount of line to try and cast.I would draw in the line till the colour change was about 2' above the reel (allowing for the poly?) and the cast would be fine,shooting out about another 12' .Feeling quite chuffed with myself, I'd try a cast with the change right up at the rod-tip. Fantastic! what a really good cast.BUT...This didn't last long..soon it would start going to pot,so,back to a shorter line again.The thing is though that for those few casts it was really quite good,so why did it start going wrong again? Was I begining to progressively do something different?
Throughout the course of a day my casting ranges from pretty awful to really quite good...oh for some consistency. Normal for a days fishing would you say??

Cheers

[wilbert]

I find that during a days fishing my casting can go full circle starting good then going poor before getting better and ending up where I started. I think this is just down to me being a bit lazy as they day goes on and little errors start to creep in as a result. I now know that is the main fault in the bad casts that I do from time to time but it took me a while to work this out and it used to frustrate me no end. If i start to sense that I am not moving as I should and my casting is suffering as a result I keep calm and concentrate on what i am doing then the casting comes back as if by magic. Getting mad and putting more effort in just makes things worse.

[rennie]

Ianjay,throughout your fishing day as you wade your casting height will change (as you wade deep or shallow),also you will be casting in different types of water,fast,slow,eddys,broken water,etc. etc. which will all make a difference as to how you cast.The trick to consistent casting is realizing this and adapting as you go,and when your casting does go t*** up take a break and think about things don't resort to brute force.Think of it this way as you form your D loop prior to your foreword cast make it as neat as you can because this will help to determine how your foreword delivery will end up,sometimes its better to forget about fishing and concentrate on the cast then all of a sudden you are thinking the cast has gone O.K. maybe it will go further next time and tug tug Salar is knocking at the door. Pedro.

[kercock]

Methinks you are concentrating on the casting rather than the fishing Iain,when it was good you were relaxed then when you got a not so good one you tense up,grip the rod tighter and that in itself will tense up your muscels and your casting goes right oot the windae with it. Then you really start trying and of course it gets worse. Simplicity is land the fly in the right place then look for your D forming then rod tip to 2 'oclock or so, let your running line go and you cannot fail,probably.! Relax sunshine,it will work. Trust me ,I'm not a doctor !...

[macd]

Agree with the guys- I would only add that make sure you have plenty to drink (not booze until later) and take time to refuel. Tiredness and low energy can also screw things.

Ross

[imb]

I would only add that make sure you have plenty to drink (not booze until later)

Well at least until after breakfast eh Ross?

[macd]

No idea what you are getting at Iain . Must be thinking of our granty and the gang ;D

Ross