BIG FLIES: long, short, thin, fat and heavy often refer to a number of elements that go into making such a fly that can on occasion be somewhat of a clumsy link between initiating a cast and presenting it to our intended target.
I suggest you use a cast that keeps the aforementioned big fly as far from you as is physically possible, all be it however within the boundaries required to make it an effective one. We're going to draw the rod around an imaginary object... this object will be similar to say a rugby ball, sort of oval in shape... therefore I'll refer to this cast as an Oval cast.
The cast is made in two planes, the back in a horizontal plane and the forward in a more vertical plane. (I use the term vertical loosely, keep the rod canted when delivering the forward cast for safety sake... for me it's to the left.)
For you spey casters! - think of the motion within a switch/jump roll, then picture the same cast through to completion without the anchor landing (Thanks Marc Fauvet for this gem)
A Guide to Rod Motion - (images show rod already well into casting stroke in horizontal plane)
The intention at the transition between the back & forward cast (Vice versa) is not to make a defined stop as you would with a basic overhead cast waiting for the line to extend. Think continuous motion.
The Back Cast
- The open stance recommended is such that your head movement is made easy without excessive shoulder rotation - it's important to observe each cast back & forth to help you time the following stroke without the flies kicking. I will however ensure I've rotated my head to focus on my target prior to making the forward stroke (side cast article #1 )
- As a general guide I'm looking to move the rod in a similar axis/angle & path to the oval shape as in the image above with the back cast following the outer most extremity. By casting with this shape in mind it's allowing me to deliver a loop size conducive to my fly type in terms of size & weight, a loop which unrolls in an almost horizontal plane.
- I'm wading which restricts the room I have to initiate the oval movement into a low back cast and therefore higher forward cast. With big flies... heavy ones especially, it's easy to clip either the ground or water should you find yourself in a similar position... so speed up.
- Don't under estimate the need for maintaining good tension and line speed throughout the casting cycle. A smooth hauling technique is a probable must if this cast is going to be successful, hauling can be a great way of slack line recovery and a saviour of an otherwise doomed cast.
The Forward Cast
- A higher forward delivery with a more open loop (Don't aim for squeezy tight ones). I'm personally not an advocate of delivering this cast directly above my head if I can otherwise avoid it so the rod remains canted slightly to my left... it only takes but one misplaced forward delivery!
- As you come around the oval moving into the forward cast, the rod is likely to be in a more vertical plane than it was when you initiated the back cast so deliver it through a larger, more rounded arc using either the forearm, the wrist or both, use which ever method is most comfortable to apply it.
- I wouldn't aerialise much beyond your fly lines overall head length either, you'll reasonably shoot more than enough line to hopefully get within target range. If not and you're determined to cast further, lengthen your casting stroke within the oval shape and increase line speed by hauling.
For some there are a number of nuances/variations that go together to differentiate the Elliptical or Oval cast and the Belgian cast from one another, there's now probably others in the mix but the intentional result is no doubt the same... tweak it as you would all casts, by that I mean make it fit your style, demeanour and stature because it's no doubt unique to you.
Finally... does this picture look familiar?, the slack line dangling from the reel at your feet. I see it with stillwater and reservoir anglers. It has nothing to do with the memory or quality of your fly line. You're already making this oval cast or at least a similar variation.
By casting in an oval you're putting a half twist in the line which results in this. If unintentional I would describe it as a tracking fault in that you're not going back & forth in a straight line. All you need do now is make it intentional.
When making an oval cast expect this to happen, shoot any line to the reel without hanging slack and you'll omit it - have fun!
Thanks to good friend Marc Fauvet for some super snippets of info contributing to the article.
Jim is our ESF in house fly casting contributor and AAPGAI Master level instructor teaching full time in the Cotswold, Wiltshire & Hampshire area... visit his website
