“10 o'clock to 2 o'clock"

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The phrase "10 to 2" is an old one in fly fishing.  It is used to give a mental reference of the range of rod movement between the stopping points of the 2 "power strokes" that occur during each casting cycle.   With “high noon” being straight above the caster, 10 o’clock suggests the point to which the rod tip drifts behind the caster at the end of the Backcast, and 2 o’clock where the Forward Cast ends.

We recommend that if you wish to use this simple way to remind yourself of when to start and stop your casting strokes, that you think in terms of “11 to 1”.  On the Backcast, as a continuation of the Pick Up, apply the Rear Power Stroke beginning at 1 o'clock by accelerating the rod and coming to an abrupt stop at 11 o'clock (the rod tip may drift back toward 10:00).  On the Forward Power Stroke of the Forward Cast, begin at 11:00 and speed up to a punching stop at 1:00 (the tip drifting to 2:00). 

Note in these pictures:

The rod, rod hand, wrist & forearm act as nearly "one piece" during most of the Backcast

The bend/load in the rod resulting from application of the  2  power strokes

The Rear Power Stroke stops the rod at 11 o'clock

The Forward Power Stroke stops the rod at 1 o'clock and drifts to 2, transitioning to the Let Down

The use of the wrist, which provides the final “punch” to the rod tip, occurs only at the end of each power stroke

Rear Power Stroke phase of the Backcast . . . “1 to 11”    

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