Longest/Shortest Hook Ups on Fly

[elwyman]

My closest hook up would be about 5yards. In fact it was my first fly caught salmon on the river Elwy, which is only about 10 yards wide in places.

There was a big boulder under the water which split the current either side, with calm water behind the boulder. It just looked an obvious place for a salmon to be resting. I was fishing 2 salmon flies on a single hander, almost "czech nymph style", letting the current take the flies behind the rock, when a nice 7lb salmon took.

I would guess my longest hook up would be around 25 yards on the Conwy.

Interested to hear views on whether 35-40 yard casting results in more lost fish.

[elwyman]

steve said:

Well, now you've got your new toy and can cast that far, you'll be able to find out ;D.

Off a grassy bank perhaps, not up to my b*lls in the water. ;D

[elwyman]

Yes, i still need to master that technique using the little finger. Holding line in one's mouth doesn't really cut it, does it!

[elwyman]

must watch the rio video again then!

[rennie]

Shortest cast sat on the bank dangling the toes in the drink,9ft of nylon and a couple of yards of fly line,result first Salmon of 18lbs.Longest cast,up to the raspberries and 50yds of floating shooting head swinging across the stream,by the time you feel the pull the fish is soundly hooked,had a few like that and on a sinking shooting head too.P.S. if you start with small loops of backing and get bigger its easier to shoot as the energy of your cast slowly dissipates,but you do get the odd tangle that way,whereas the other way doesn't tangle but your loops stick in the water to wards the end of your cast. . Try holding the first loop you make in your teeth then as the casts energy dissipates the last loop is out of the water already. Pedro.

[altmor]

elwyman said:

Interested to hear views on whether 35-40 yard casting results in more lost fish.

Shortest hook up would be about 7yrds, on the dangle, longest would be about the 30+yrd mark.

I think if you can cast the 30 - 40yrs it does improve your chances, but only if the presentation is right. By that I mean the fly starts "fishing" as soon as it hits the water, and the cast isn't forced resulting in poor turnover, upward bends on the line, snake line landings etc.

It stands to reason if a 40yrd cast is presented well, it has a better chance of covering more fish, than say a 20yrd cast. For me though a good 20yrder is more likely to catch than a bad 40yrder.

Cast well and present well, to your ability, I think is the route to success.

[altmor]

I would also add, always start with a short line, lengthening out to your optimum range - whatever that be. You'd be surprised how many you can pick up just 10 to 15 yrds out when starting at a new pool.