If you really want to learn how to fly fish all you need are the right tools, technique, and a positive attitude. With these essential elements, you can begin to enjoy the sport of fly fishing in no time. Some fly fishing is done by means of “sight fishing” NO not the fish the sight the structure, beneath the water surface. I can say on a couple of occasions, I have sight the dorsal fin of a green back. Don’t rely on sighting Murray cod; study the structure with accurate cast to count! Good polarized sunglasses will minimize the glare off the water assisting you to spot the structure. Looking out for any sort of aquatic life that might be in the area where you want to fish. This will able you to choose your flies accordingly since the fish might be feeding on the same food.
Good technique and timing can input far more power into the casting system than sheer muscle and effort, casting as hard as you work’s against you tenfold. If you’re not allowing the rod to do the work the loss of power and under or over controlling the cast may result big tangles. Another problem will be opening loops and keeping the cast from consistently laying out a straight fly line and leader on the water during my presentation. All that muscle makes it really challenging for you to stop the fly rod at the correct time. Abruptly, and that didn’t allow a smooth and efficiently cast transfer the energy that loads into the rod during a forward and back cast.

Instead of, shooting out the entire fly line during initial false casting, and didn’t do so on your final back cast. When you shoot line on your final back cast, it increases the amount of fly line into the system, and gets the head of the fly line moving and gaining momentum. That extra weight from the increased fly line and the momentum of the head moving away from the angler, will pre-load the rod when all of it straightens out on the back cast. When the final forward cast is timed correctly it will start exactly at the moment when all of the fly line straightens out on the back cast. It will greatly increase the overall line speed and power generated into the casting system, because the angler will be able to load the rod deeper and smoother during the final forward cast. Why all this? Slack fly line draws a significant portion of the power out of the cast and it also greatly decreased the distance of any kind and it has tailing loops issues. Plain and simple, you the angler will be in control, able to cast a fly accurately and won’t require any additional casting effort. This may sound like it’s all about distance casting not so! Above information is about short, tight accurate casting, you have a lot less time to control short cast than long distance.
In order for the fly to land on target, the unrolling loop of fly line and leader must carry the fly there. Since the path of the loop follows the path of the rod tip, the key element in achieving casting accuracy is to drive the rod tip on a line pointed at the target.

Many self-taught casters learn by trial and error to minimize the effects of tailing loops by canting the rod to the side. Canting the rod doesn’t cure tailing loops, but it does keep the line and leader from tangling, since the crossed loops unroll alongside rather than on top of one another. With enough practice, a sidearm caster can achieve accuracy, but a sidearm approach fails to take advantage of the natural accuracy that comes from casting directly down one’s line of sight.
The most distance and power you’ll ever add to your cast will come through refining your basic casting stroke: learning to load and unload the rod properly, learning to form tight loops, and lengthening your casting stroke when you’re casting distance. A caster who’s refined these three elements and developed a solid basic stroke can deliver a sweet cast using his or her rod arm alone.
A full day of casting might have you deliver the fly 500 or more times; so you want to be able to make each cast with the least amount of effort possible. Once you’ve refined your basic casting stroke, there are several techniques you can use to increase your distance and power with no additional effort. Once your basic cast is solid, these techniques will allow you to make casting over an entire day with little energy than needed!

The different between having a quality fly line and an average rod, or a quality rod and an average line, nearly all experts would choose to have the better line and for a particular reason. The line is what actually carries the fly to the target and delivers it. It’s easy to adjust your casting stroke to accommodate differences in fly rods, but if your line won’t shoot through the guides, or float or sink as it should, or carry the fly properly, you’re going to have a long, frustrating day on the water. So, how do you know what is the right fly line for the fishing you do? Typically, four factors determine which fly line is the right choice: fly size, the species and size of fish you are fishing for, fishing conditions, and your skill as a caster.
Fly-fishing anglers can improve their casting techniques simply by keeping several casting tips in mind. These tips involve the equipment such as the rod and line as well as the angler. These tips are important to remember, but practicing regularly before going on any fishing trip is the most important tip for any angler to pay attention to in order to achieve the desired success.

There are several important casting tips to remember when fly-fishing that involve the rod and the line. Included in these tips is to be sure to remove all the slack out of the line. Be aware of the technique used concerning acceleration, begin the cast slowly and accelerate to top speed right before stopping the cast. Proper stroking and stopping of the rod are both important. So when practicing (take a look behind you) on the backwards cast. Keep in mind that the line goes in the direction the tip of the rod is moving when the acceleration is stopped. Keeping the rod tip on a straight path forms a good casting loop, while too much force causes tailing loops. Keep loops tight, the tighter the loop, the better the cast. The size of the casting arc is also important. Small casting arcs are for short casts and large casting arcs are for long casts. To lengthen the cast, aim the cast higher and to shorten the cast, aim about four feet above the water or practice area. Do not aim the cast directly at the target unless it is windy. When casting, allow the line to straighten out completely from the backcast before stroking the forward cast. Also, tighten the line before the pickup for the backcast. This in mind; it aloes you to stay connected with the fly and remembering this is the beginning of your cast, so getting this right is quite critical!

The angler also has to keep some tips in mind that concern him/her as your arm is an extension of the rod and line. Most anglers for disclaim the wrist and forearm are a part of the rod! Move the wrist slightly at the end of the cast right before stopping the rod, while keeping your casting wrist firm at all times. Keep the rod butt under and in line with the wrist and forearm to keep the rod in place when casting. Bend the rod and point the tip while casting the line. The line and fly will go in the direction the rod tip is pointed when being cast. Position of the hand is important also. Keeping the thumb on top of the rod and applying greater force will shorter casting strokes. Timing is more important than strength and because of this practicing the timing of the cast is very important. Practicing daily for at least 15 minutes per day can help the angler become a good fly-caster within a month. Practice casting is the only way to improve the cast and the angler should not wait to practice the casting before arriving at the fishing destination. Practicing in the backyard, park or oval will improve the casting of any angler. The best tip for the angler is to remember to relax and enjoy the scenery while fly-fishing.

Cliff edges and points of high face back drops – No spot along the river is too difficult to cast well almost! High sticking the rod on a back cast pointing the rod tip towards 1 O’clock, will help you achieve casting in locations were you would have a high obstruction behind you. A tight fly line stripped off the water, while retaining a connection to the rod. Lift by raising your arm and extended the whole length of arm to 1 O’clock, quickly bring the cast forward. No long distance casting with this, short tight spots are the best. This high sticking techqine, opens up more water to cast at and as the fly is in the water that’s where the fish are. Timing this cast is paramount as it could be a costly trip if not timed correctly!
There is an old argument among fly fishermen as to which is more important knowing where the fish are or being able to present the fly to them. Knowing where the fish are, is certainly nice however if you can’t reach them or present the fly you are simply not in the game. Even if you have no idea where the fish are but can cast well enough to cover the water with finesse you are likely to find success.
Fly fishing has many aspects and anyone can spend an entire life­time enjoying the sport. It is a sport that stays with you at any age!