Journey Through Fly: Casting – Roll Cast
By: The Angler
When it comes to getting your fly out to the fish being able to execute a few methods of casting is paramount. Depending on the area you are fishing in; certain casting techniques just cannot be used. An example is when you do not have ample room behind you to do the usual overhead cast. In such a situation, a good casting technique to use is the roll cast.
The roll cast allows you to get your fly out when you do not have much space behind you to execute the usual overhead cast. This is certainly a common fishing scenario when fishing on land in some of the jungle rivers. So, here is how to execute a roll cast.
Start By…..
Release line off your rod tip. You can do this by stripping line and casting the line out allowing lines to be released in front of you. Allow about 20 feet of lines to be released. If you are doing this in water where there is some flow, allow the water to take your line out some 20 feet. If you are doing so on an empty field; you can cast your line out and let it fall in front of you.
Secure the line with your finger of the hand that is holding the rod, with the rod pointed in front of you (pic. 1 above).
Next bring it backwards and slowly raise it till the rod tip is at about 1 o’clock behind you, and at angle that you would normally do when executing the overhead cast (see pic. 2).
The line from the tip of your rod to the point where it touches the water (or land) should now form a “D” shape (pic. 3). Stop for about a second before executing the next step. This allows the line to load your fly rod.
Next execute the forward movement by punching your rod tip to the 1 o’clock position in front of you; the way you execute the overhead cast (pic.4).
Follow through with your rod tip as the line rolls on the surface of the water (or land) and lands on your target using your other hand (the one that is not holding the rod) to hold the line and to maintain tension (pic below).
All you have to do to execute more roll cast is to repeat steps 2, 3, and 4. This will allow you to get your fly out constantly. To change the direction of your cast, all you have got to do is to reposition your body and execute the cast in the direction that you want to cast to. This does take some practice to get better at, so practice more whenever you are at your fishing grounds.
