love your videos. im just starting fly fishing and your tips already helped me a lot. thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos. greetings from UK. tight lines
I’ve been fly fishing for 35 years and have been told since I was a kid to keep your elbow close to your body. I was taught by keeping a rolled up news paper in my armpit not allowing it to drop.
Good points here.....the best tip on casting I ever got was to turn and watch your back cast. It takes all the guesswork out of the forward cast timing.
OMG! Thank You! I am the 20 foot caster/beginner and am just starting to get frustrated but after watching your video I now know what I need to practise so I can start sailing the casts out further. I have no idea what brand of fly line is on my reel and so that will be the first upgrade.
Also, a good fly line can be bad just because it wasn't properly prepared, and especially if your gear was put away for the season, but not un-spooled and "relaxed" before re-spooling and fishing. This may be less of an issue with today's advanced lines, but I believe it's probably still a good practice.
dont use a taper leader, you'll destroy it by whipping casts, or smashing it into the ground, just tie a chunk of mono on the end, 7-9ft and then take a piece of wool and tie a clinch knot around it.. OR take a unweighted fly, like a dry, or unweighted bugger and snip the hook off
Hey Matt! I just use my basic setup...for this video I actually kept on a big musky fly so you could see it better. Typically, I would pick a modest fly and cut the sharp end of the hook off for practice using a 9' leader. Cheers!
You've got my sub, and I can already cast well, but I can always learn more. I was taught to not bend my wrist as much as you do when casting, but, most of my flyfishing is saltwater, or big water, and maybe it's a little different?. Your advice about not whip cracking on the back cast is golden , I can't count the flies I've snapped off on the back cast. Thank you for this quality content.
@@FlyFishDan thank you. I'm no expert, though some day I hope to be. I am currently trying to replicate, and use, successfully, the lures, baits, and techniques of the " complete angeler". I'm currently in possession of a 5th edition copy, and a seventh, of the book. I'm trying to master things from the beginning of modern sport angling, as an art.
Thanks for the tips on getting a good cast as i need to get a bit of practice before I go out fishing have a date set 21 of April for a camping trip with my brother's and my da as he hasn't been well lately and was diagnosed with autism a few years ago and have been waiting for this day for ages thanks for sharing your channel is always really helpful take care and keep safe my friend 🤝👍
Thanks for the instructions and tips. I am new to fly fishing and went on a float trip on the WB Delaware earlier this week and started casting ok, but it just spiraled downhill throughout the day, especially when transitioning from nymphing to lighter weight dry flies. I am not sure what happened. Maybe I was getting tired? I know I was not applying the mental disciplines required. I could not coordinate my 10 to 2 back/forward casting, the pause and breaking my wrist, not to mention forgetting to mend the line. Everything was going wrong and nothing right. Wind knots, pile casts and short distance on big water. I could hear the fly snaping in the air behind me and even hitting the water at times. I couldn't comprehend the technique. I felt humiliated and embarrassed. I know I need to practice my cast and your video makes it look so easy. I plan to tie some yarn to my tippet and practice in my yard and going to the pond/lake at the county park to practice with a fly on blue gill and sun fish to practice hook sets. I will save this video and watch it several times and watch it before getting out to practice for reinforcement. I don't plan to give up and will work hard before going back out on the WB Delaware on another float trip with my friend this September.
Stick with it - you'll get there. NOTHING to be embarrassed about - we ALL have been there (myself included!!). The fact that you are out there fly fishing brings a smile to my face - you will improve with time and practice. Just a few tips, the 'snap' sound is from bringing the fly rod forward to quickly (just wait a half second longer and let the fly line fully extend behind you) and the fly hitting the water behind you is likely due to bringing the fly rod too far back on the back cast. This video breaks down the fundamentals and should help you improve quickly. You got this! Cheers and FISH-ON!!
@@FlyFishDan Thank you for your words of encouragement Dan. I hope to report back to you in the fall to give you an update on my progress and results of my next float trip down the WB Delaware.
Question..Should u use shoulder and forearm and lock the wrist and not let it break on the back cast or forward cast keeping the track of the tip straight… i notice if allowed to break at the stops it puts a small arc to the right ( right hander) and screws up the loop. If i really practice keeping that tip straight on the full extension u see and feel the difference as the rod loads and unloads smootly like no effort is needed to complete the cast
I use very little wrist action at all - the motion primary happens in the shoulder and elbow. There are a lot of personal casting styles that work great, just find what's comfortable for you that allows you to cast 40-60 feet and that's by far enough to be successful at fly fishing. Cheers!
@@FlyFishDan thanks so much Dan Im watching your beach fly fishing video now. The technique you advocate and show sounds like driving a nail in almost. Ill work on it and hopefully by Spring be ready to catch my first striper here in Atlantic City :) Im new to the sport !
Thanks Dan! I saw a guy that said to turn the reel on a 45° angle to balance the rod for a smooth stop on the forward cast. Do you have an opinion on this?
You bet! I’ve never tried that tactic before. I found keeping my wrist ‘tight’…moving only slightly has given me a smooth stop on the forward cast. I’ve found watching the cast (follow the path of the rod with your eyes) helps immensely. Then - muscle memory takes over after practice.
@@FlyFishDan so are you saying this is an old video? You have your arm in a very uncomfortable position throughout, that is not good technique, that's the opposite.
How much of a differencd is there between 75$ fly line and 150$? Im new to this and dont have that much money atm.. it must be better but how much does it matter?
@@FlyFishDan thank you i have a 40$ one at the moment just to test if i like fly fishing and im already addicted (have not caught anything yet) i just want to improve my casts for now
@@FlyFishDan just watched your double hauling video... will try to learn it tomorrow ! I just increased my leader to 6ft and tippet to 3ft (only had 3ft of leader no tippet before) hopefuly it help aswell
My problem is the pause front and back I kinda get in a hurry but when I concentrate on my casting I've gotten 60' casts and that was my best trip yet .
this is good advice for beginners, i love your videos but unfortunately this is not going to extend my 122.2ft cast that i made during a casting competition although this video is helpful for beginners or short distance casters :)
Thank you! This video is definitely geared towards beginners for sure. That is an incredible cast! I think I might have reached that distance once...but I had a 35mph wind at my back and somehow created a sail with my line ;D
Wait just a half second longer before casting forward...that whip sound is because your line hasn't fully extended behind you when you begin to cast forward. Hope that makes sense!
@@FlyFishDan thank you I guess I misunderstood when you mentioned that in the video. Thank you for re-explaining it again. Sorry you had to repeat yourself. Have fun on the water!
The comment re fly line purchase is , in my opinion a gross over simplification, aimed more at sponsorship or biases; although the expensive brands mentioned will work, there are many others at half the price or less that will also work just fine; equally fly fishers use lines that suit them, their particular rods, casting techniques and conditions. If , for example, you will be fishing mainly in small to medium brooks and streams with say a 3 or 4 weight rod, then the ‘tip/advice’ given would be, in my opinion, a waste of money; better talk with others, check out at your local store what is generally used, and try before you buy, don’t throw money at something , especially if you’re just getting started.
Truly one of the best instructional casting videos out there today - clear, concise and EASY to understand. Thanks FFD!
Very welcome!
love your videos. im just starting fly fishing and your tips already helped me a lot. thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos. greetings from UK. tight lines
Awesome! Thank you! So cool how social media has the power to connect us from so far away. Cheers and FISH-ON!!
I needed that video! Thanks Dan
I’ve been fly fishing for 35 years and have been told since I was a kid to keep your elbow close to your body. I was taught by keeping a rolled up news paper in my armpit not allowing it to drop.
Good points here.....the best tip on casting I ever got was to turn and watch your back cast. It takes all the guesswork out of the forward cast timing.
Thanks Keith - I appreciate you taking the time to watch. Cheers!
Good info, good speaking, good editing!!
I’m Japanese, your English is so easy to hearing. Thanks Dan !!
I’m Hit a subscribe 😄👍
Nice! Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to watch. Welcome to my channel!
OMG! Thank You! I am the 20 foot caster/beginner and am just starting to get frustrated but after watching your video I now know what I need to practise so I can start sailing the casts out further. I have no idea what brand of fly line is on my reel and so that will be the first upgrade.
Nice! Thank you so much for letting me know, I’m super happy to hear that it helped! Cheers!
Cant tell you how much this vid helped. Clear and concise. Appreciate the effort mate 👍🏻
Glad to hear it! Thank you!
Thanks Dan, humble yet informative video.
Very welcome!
thanks Dan .. love from malaysia
Thanks for the easy to follow, very informative video
You are welcome!
great presentation - thank you...
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!
Also, a good fly line can be bad just because it wasn't properly prepared, and especially if your gear was put away for the season, but not un-spooled and "relaxed" before re-spooling and fishing. This may be less of an issue with today's advanced lines, but I believe it's probably still a good practice.
Great tips and awesome input - the fly line certainly makes a huge difference. Cheers!
Great tips!
Glad you think so!
What’s your setup for grass practicing? Leader? What do you tie on the end?
Yeah, nobody actually addresses this, but it is a question us noobs have
dont use a taper leader, you'll destroy it by whipping casts, or smashing it into the ground, just tie a chunk of mono on the end, 7-9ft and then take a piece of wool and tie a clinch knot around it.. OR take a unweighted fly, like a dry, or unweighted bugger and snip the hook off
Hey Matt! I just use my basic setup...for this video I actually kept on a big musky fly so you could see it better. Typically, I would pick a modest fly and cut the sharp end of the hook off for practice using a 9' leader. Cheers!
Great tips! Thanks for weighing in. Cheers!
I am hear to help! :)) Thank you for watching as well. Cheers!
Good tips , thanks , will try to learn a fly casting at local pond. I hope to catch my first fish on a fly rod.
You got this!
Awesome content! Thanks u sir!🤙🎣
Awesome! Thank you :))
You've got my sub, and I can already cast well, but I can always learn more. I was taught to not bend my wrist as much as you do when casting, but, most of my flyfishing is saltwater, or big water, and maybe it's a little different?. Your advice about not whip cracking on the back cast is golden , I can't count the flies I've snapped off on the back cast. Thank you for this quality content.
Glad I could help! Very happy to have you as a part of my channel. Cheers!
@@FlyFishDan thank you. I'm no expert, though some day I hope to be. I am currently trying to replicate, and use, successfully, the lures, baits, and techniques of the " complete angeler". I'm currently in possession of a 5th edition copy, and a seventh, of the book. I'm trying to master things from the beginning of modern sport angling, as an art.
Thanks for the tips on getting a good cast as i need to get a bit of practice before I go out fishing have a date set 21 of April for a camping trip with my brother's and my da as he hasn't been well lately and was diagnosed with autism a few years ago and have been waiting for this day for ages thanks for sharing your channel is always really helpful take care and keep safe my friend 🤝👍
You are most welcome! Cheers!
Thanks for the instructions and tips. I am new to fly fishing and went on a float trip on the WB Delaware earlier this week and started casting ok, but it just spiraled downhill throughout the day, especially when transitioning from nymphing to lighter weight dry flies. I am not sure what happened. Maybe I was getting tired? I know I was not applying the mental disciplines required. I could not coordinate my 10 to 2 back/forward casting, the pause and breaking my wrist, not to mention forgetting to mend the line. Everything was going wrong and nothing right. Wind knots, pile casts and short distance on big water. I could hear the fly snaping in the air behind me and even hitting the water at times. I couldn't comprehend the technique. I felt humiliated and embarrassed. I know I need to practice my cast and your video makes it look so easy. I plan to tie some yarn to my tippet and practice in my yard and going to the pond/lake at the county park to practice with a fly on blue gill and sun fish to practice hook sets. I will save this video and watch it several times and watch it before getting out to practice for reinforcement. I don't plan to give up and will work hard before going back out on the WB Delaware on another float trip with my friend this September.
Stick with it - you'll get there. NOTHING to be embarrassed about - we ALL have been there (myself included!!). The fact that you are out there fly fishing brings a smile to my face - you will improve with time and practice. Just a few tips, the 'snap' sound is from bringing the fly rod forward to quickly (just wait a half second longer and let the fly line fully extend behind you) and the fly hitting the water behind you is likely due to bringing the fly rod too far back on the back cast. This video breaks down the fundamentals and should help you improve quickly. You got this! Cheers and FISH-ON!!
@@FlyFishDan Thank you for your words of encouragement Dan. I hope to report back to you in the fall to give you an update on my progress and results of my next float trip down the WB Delaware.
Question..Should u use shoulder and forearm and lock the wrist and not let it break on the back cast or forward cast keeping the track of the tip straight… i notice if allowed to break at the stops it puts a small arc to the right ( right hander) and screws up the loop. If i really practice keeping that tip straight on the full extension u see and feel the difference as the rod loads and unloads smootly like no effort is needed to complete the cast
I use very little wrist action at all - the motion primary happens in the shoulder and elbow. There are a lot of personal casting styles that work great, just find what's comfortable for you that allows you to cast 40-60 feet and that's by far enough to be successful at fly fishing. Cheers!
@@FlyFishDan thanks so much Dan Im watching your beach fly fishing video now. The technique you advocate and show
sounds like driving a nail in almost. Ill work on it and hopefully by Spring be ready to catch my first striper here in Atlantic City :) Im new to the sport !
are there practice flies to use or just a piece of yarn tied to the leader or tippet?
Either will work well
What do you use as a practice fly when you’re practicing?
I cut the hook end off of a big hopper pattern. Works awesome
Fly fishing is awesome, I’m just getting into it and theirs so many fun and crazy flys I have one fly that is a bumblebee with googly eyes
Love fly fishing too :))
Thanks Dan! I saw a guy that said to turn the reel on a 45° angle to balance the rod for a smooth stop on the forward cast. Do you have an opinion on this?
You bet! I’ve never tried that tactic before. I found keeping my wrist ‘tight’…moving only slightly has given me a smooth stop on the forward cast. I’ve found watching the cast (follow the path of the rod with your eyes) helps immensely. Then - muscle memory takes over after practice.
@@FlyFishDan Cool! Thanks for helping me to sort through all of the fluff of the folks in TH-cam land.
How often do you get shoulder pain from having your arm in that position?
As I get older...the more shoulder pain. I use more technique to avoid that. Great video idea too, thanks for the inspiration!
@@FlyFishDan so are you saying this is an old video? You have your arm in a very uncomfortable position throughout, that is not good technique, that's the opposite.
Thank you Dan 🙏 Now I can cast more then ten feet😂
BOOM!! Thanks for watching and letting me know!
I really like Scientific Anglers every thing from line to leader to tippet.
How much of a differencd is there between 75$ fly line and 150$? Im new to this and dont have that much money atm.. it must be better but how much does it matter?
$75 dollar fly lines are just fine - stay away from the $20-40 dollar lines, they are junk. (in most cases).
@@FlyFishDan thank you i have a 40$ one at the moment just to test if i like fly fishing and im already addicted (have not caught anything yet) i just want to improve my casts for now
You seem to be pulling on the line with your left hand when you bring your rod back when youre false casting. Is that correct?
That is called 'hauling'...it helps generate line speed when casting
@@FlyFishDan just watched your double hauling video... will try to learn it tomorrow ! I just increased my leader to 6ft and tippet to 3ft (only had 3ft of leader no tippet before) hopefuly it help aswell
i use scientific anglers mastery expert distance the head is around 73ft and i have a carry of 80ish ft
That is intense!
@@FlyFishDan yes i do distance fly casting and the first time i held a fly rod was may last year and ive been working hard on casting and fishing
My problem is the pause front and back I kinda get in a hurry but when I concentrate on my casting I've gotten 60' casts and that was my best trip yet .
Just keep practicing and you'll get it down and rarely will ever even think about it...it will become muscle memory for you. Cheers!
this is good advice for beginners, i love your videos but unfortunately this is not going to extend my 122.2ft cast that i made during a casting competition although this video is helpful for beginners or short distance casters :)
Thank you! This video is definitely geared towards beginners for sure. That is an incredible cast! I think I might have reached that distance once...but I had a 35mph wind at my back and somehow created a sail with my line ;D
Did it make you feel good to BRAG about your 122.2ft cast...? How did that contribute to this conversation? Just wondering.
How do I stop getting a crack of a whip pop on my back cast?
Wait just a half second longer before casting forward...that whip sound is because your line hasn't fully extended behind you when you begin to cast forward. Hope that makes sense!
@@FlyFishDan thank you I guess I misunderstood when you mentioned that in the video. Thank you for re-explaining it again. Sorry you had to repeat yourself. Have fun on the water!
Like anything else. Practice, practice, practice...
The comment re fly line purchase is , in my opinion a gross over simplification, aimed more at sponsorship or biases; although the expensive brands mentioned will work, there are many others at half the price or less that will also work just fine; equally fly fishers use lines that suit them, their particular rods, casting techniques and conditions. If , for example, you will be fishing mainly in small to medium brooks and streams with say a 3 or 4 weight rod, then the ‘tip/advice’ given would be, in my opinion, a waste of money; better talk with others, check out at your local store what is generally used, and try before you buy, don’t throw money at something , especially if you’re just getting started.
hi
Hello and FISH-ON!! :))
Are you a certified instructor?
I am not - just a fly fisher with 40 years' experience casting a fly rod. Thanks for tuning in!
The only intimidating thing about fly fishing is the high prices lol