Fishing situation – Casting light, medium and heavy nymphs
Possible casting solution – Bow & Arrow
I thought this appropriate for this time of year as I like many look forward to venturing out on a cold and frosty morn' in search of my own personal favourite ~ Grayling, with silver & gold bullets in hand.
Casting nymphs to grayling. “Is this any different to casting nymphs to trout?” I hear you ask... well, not really but I guess many of the bug like patterns we use for grayling can probably be best measured in weight as opposed to hook size. I say this tongue in cheek of course but it’s fair to say that we forgo the more wispy fly type selections of the trout's larder, and in the more let's say turbulent conditions opt sometimes for the so called weighty offerings that enable us to get down deep to our post trout seasonal quarry.
At this time of year there are also probably more fly rod tip fatalities using these heavier nymphs than at any other time. Those that have experienced the coming together of tungsten and carbon will know exactly what I mean.
Two things tend to happen when the bullet like weighted nymph hits that all important part of the rather expensive, fragile material called “my favourite rod”...
Either 1) you get away with it and it remains structurally sound, or 2) the impact of said bullet was such that the carbon has been fractured in some way, and your rod tip is probably doomed from here on in. It will either break during the next few casts, or more likely just when you’ve hooked into the fish that you’d always hoped for... typical isn’t it?
So what casts could we use when nymphing?
Whether they're conscious of it or not, none, some, most or all nymph fisherman probably cast using a variation of the following: the Bow & Arrow, the Rolling nymph (Lob), the Belgian cast (Oval), a Side Arm cast of sorts or (cringe) the Overhead cast.
So without further ado here is my take on the first of these casts.
The Bow & Arrow Cast
A short range cast ideal for close quarter fishing, this useful yet under used cast is what I'll deploy extensively to get my fly into tight confined areas or to fish in a specific pocket of water. It can be an extremely accurate cast for light, medium and heavily weighted nymphs.
The following pictures show the technique I use to deliver the fly relative to my sighted target as identified by the white dashed line. The stance (Pic.1) I adopt is not totally square or face on to my target (Picture an archer if you will), it allows me to maintain good hand separation and alter the length of pull against the rod tip with ease and comfort.
The grip and rod position, these are similar to those used in the side arm cast detailed in [Issue 1]. I hope you'll find this method to be an easy and efficient way of holding and controlling the rod when performing the cast.
In sequences 1 through 4 below, the rod hand remains stationary as the line is pulled to bend and load the rod, likewise it remains so when the line is released and the rod unloads and straightens.
Upon release in sequence 3, I'm conscious to ensure my rod hand grip has relaxed. A tight grip can sometimes make you unintentionally exaggerate the rods recoil movement to the straight position and go beyond where it would naturally stop. This can potentially impact on the delivery of the fly and the lay of any line on the water.
NB: For the purpose of this demonstration I'm holding and releasing the tip of the fly line
As to the amount of flex (Load) you apply is as with all things, a case of practice. Too much and it'll all come 'pinging' back at you falling short of your intended target, too little and a similar result, you'll fall short of the target again. You will get a feel for it, and quite quickly... so persevere.The following will still deliver a fly out onto the water but less accurately. All is as above but observe the continuous hand/rod movement in sequence 6,7 & 8 below and the deviation away from my target path and the resulting direction of the fly line, and therefore leader and fly.
NB: For the purpose of this demonstration I'm holding and releasing the tip of the fly line
A common cause for the deviation: I'm consciously pulling the rod tip against the fly line, my natural instinct is to then perform the cast as I normally would using the rod upon the release of the hook/leader/line.
One solution: Easier said than done but try and focus on pulling the fly line against the tip instead, upon releasing the hook/leader/line let the rod unload and return to the straight position without you moving it to do so.
I hope you can see a significant difference in the above applications and how sequences 1 through 4 are likely to be more beneficial as a result. As to the height of delivery and pitch of the rod tip, just have a play with it to find a comfortable solution that puts the fly where you want it.
Alternatives
Sequence 10 = A more vertical approach.
This approach in some ways can make for a more accurate cast than demonstrated above (Pic.1-4), it is more challenging however in this position if your target is beneath a low hanging obstruction. Be prepared for a 'spadoosh!' with this method especially with heavier bugs... there's nothing gentle about it's initial impact on the water.
With a wide angle it's also good for pitching a variety of nymphs deep into fast pocket water. Notice the rod load flex direction versus reel position compared to the sequences above.
Sequence 11 = An inverted approach.
I've tried this briefly and can honestly say I fail to see any merits in this one... perhaps you can help?
Sequence 12 = Avoid loading the rod in this manner unless you've a spare tip section.
Sequence 13 = Open up!
As a guide I try and keep the fly line at least parallel to the unbent portion of the rod or target line. Keep in mind also that if I push my right hand out further and make the angle therefore wider, the more likely the fly is to pitch to the left of the target line.
Lastly - Holding the fly
From experience there's a right and a wrong way, or to put it simply one potentially hurts and the other doesn't.
My preference is to grip the leader a given distance above the fly (alternatively the shot if I'm using it)
Last cast thoughts...
I'm not going to go into shooting a bit of line or coiling the leader to gain that extra foot or so, what you'll gain from it is minimal versus what you'll possibly lose in terms of control, accuracy and presentation (perhaps)... I'll let you play with that one!
I annotated the word (cringe) when mentioning the Overhead cast as being deployed by anglers when casting nymphs, this I would avoid at all costs in so much as going straight over the rod in a vertical plane with a team of nymphs or heavy bug, if nothing other than for the sake of your rod tip. You have of course permission to play with such a cast should you believe open loops will be your saviour, no matter how careful you may be you only need to clip the rod tip the once!... I'll leave that one with you!
As with all casts there are many variables, the situation you're in, the amount of line you're using outside of the rod tip, the length of rod, how close you can get to your target, so on and so forth. You have to make this cast fit within all of those... I hope this at least steers you in the right direction.
So... next time you're out go and put yourself in a tight spot and try it, what's the worst that can happen? (Answers on a post card...)
One to watch...
In progress is a very detailed article I'm putting together on making your own Furled Leaders, you'll not want to miss that!
Finally...
Thanks to Ian May for taking the sequence photos in this article, and to the readership of ESF which grows daily, I've had some great feedback regarding the last casting article and hope this one continues in the same vein.
Jim is a full time fly fishing instructor & guide running the Wiltshire Fly Fishing School