Tracking can be described as the directional travel of the rod tip within a pre-determined plane(s) back and forth for a given fly cast. If you want to cast more accurately or further then optimising your tracking relative to the application can go some way to achieving this.
What is good tracking?
Below is a birds eye view of two anglers, each has an imaginary target directly ahead. The objective is to complete an overhead cast in a vertical plane with a view to delivering a straight line layout towards their target. The coloured dots represent the direction and travel of the rod tip.
Angler 1: The rod tip is travelling in the same plane back and forth throughout the cast, the likely result is a straight line layout towards the intended target directly ahead.
Angler 2: The rod tip is travelling in one plane for the duration of the back cast, but deviates from this plane during the forward cast (Red dot). The result of which can lead to a variety of outcomes... but one thing's for sure, the line isn't landing straight towards the target directly ahead as with Angler 1.
What could have caused Angler 2 to deviate?
Let's assume there is no wind and the angler is adopting a closed stance with no body/shoulder rotation throughout.
- Perhaps just a lack of knowledge... not knowing that to produce a straight line layout, this tracking was a requirement.
- With the rod in the vertical plane, Angler 2 may have felt uncomfortable with the path of the trailing fly line & fly resulting from the back cast. An intentional movement was therefore made to avoid the same in the forward cast.
- Good forearm and wrist control were maintained during the back cast, but lacked same on forward cast. The forearm may have cantered to the left or similarly just the wrist, even if but for an inch, over a 9ft distance which is the length of the average rod, it can be significant.
The Casting Plane
From vertical to horizontal and every variable in between, the vertical plane to place a back cast between two immediate obstacles perhaps, the horizontal plane (Side arm cast) to deliver a fly under an overhanging branch or obstacle.
The commonly used angle in the adjacent diagram is probably not too far off what most fly anglers use.
For a straight line layout, whatever angle/plane you deem appropriate for the given situation, follow as per Angler 1 in the first diagram in terms of ensuring your rod tip travels in that straight line and doesn't deviate as with Angler 2.
Tracking within the Casting Stroke & Arc
Below is a diagram of 2 rod paths, one will result in a reasonably tight dynamic loop, the other a more open and perhaps less effective loop. Either of which can be derived using a short or long casting stroke which would otherwise be determined by the length of line being cast.
Although we generally have a desire for one over the other you could potentially still have perfect tracking for both.
Here's what a bird's eye view of the above could look like regardless of which path you apply.
Some tips to improve your tracking?
- Look at your back cast, especially if maximising on distance. You'll better observe how your unrolling loop and trailing fly leg are tracking relative to the rod leg, it can also help with any timing and angle trajectory issues.
- To view your back cast therefore requires you to adopt a stance that allows you to do so, but it's important you minimise any shoulder/body rotation, a movement of which may result in a faltering deviation within your casting plane as with Angler 2 in the first diagram. A stance that is open, closed or somewhere in between, I'm sure your physiology will let you know which is comfortable for you.
- Reference points. Unfortunately one thing we as fly anglers aren't blessed with is too many reference points with which to track against. In the main our backdrop is either the sky or a distant blur of foliage, trees or rock-like structures far behind.
- Practise in a location that places you somewhere with a structure you can align yourself to. Something that you can point your rod tip at and drive your line towards as a target both back & forth. It's better than casting at nothing at this stage.
- Alternatively, layout a tape measure for say 100ft and stand in the middle but in such a way that the tape is below the rod tip at what ever the angle/plane of cast. At intervals let the line land behind and in front and see how straight it all is compared to the tape.
Should I always track in the same plane?
This depends on what you have as the 'End in mind'... if it's to layout a straight line cast to your intended target then yes, in whatever plane follow Angler 1. However, that's not to say this will visually result in a straight line:
- Even with great tracking back and forth, by applying too much excessive power at the stop in the forward stroke could result in counter flex that pings your line back at you, your layout may therefore look something like this... the result was not caused by a tracking issue!
- There are a number of casts that are very useful where you might intentionally deviate from the straight line plane as per Angler 2. One such cast is popular with salt water and pike anglers, this Oval cast can be seen here in a previous ESF article I did on Big Flies.
- If you're familiar with spey casting, there can be several planes or more used when making some of these waterborne anchor casts. This is definately a worthy article all of its own.
Influences that make tracking more of a challenge
Distance casts: The further the need to move the rod tip through both casting stroke and arc, the higher the risk of deviation. If you ever get the opportunity at a game fair, watch the single handed distance casters and their ability to track a rod super straight through the maximum of casting strokes and arcs.
The rod itself: I've one or two 'noodle' like rods which take little to oscillate and flex. I can track better with a medium stiff or stiff rod than I can with an all-through softer action.
Rod grip: How you hold the rod is personal but it can be fundamental to good tracking, not all fly casts require the same grip. Take a look here at an article written by Lee Cummings about those commonly used..."Fly casts - there's a grip to compliment many as opposed to one that's fit for all".
Mother nature and the wind... need I say more?
The above are but only a few key fundamentals, there's still much to add but I hope this at least gives you a starter for ten if you were otherwise unaware of its importance within the cast. As usual I'll end by imploring you to go out and give it a try.
Jim is our ESF in-house fly casting contributor and AAPGAI Master level instructor teaching full time in the Cotswolds, Wiltshire & Hampshire area... visit his website.