In fly fishing, we cast
a nearly weightless lure

Cast The Line, Not The Lure

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Casting a fly is unique. 

Unlike other fishing methods, in fly fishing, the weight of the “bait” is next to nothing.  In all other fishing/casting methods, the lure is what is cast.  The fishing line is pulled along behind the lure by its weight.  It is just like throwing anything with some weight to it.

Not so fly casting.

In fly fishing, in order to get the nearly-weightless “bait” (the fly) to the fish, we must cast the fly line . . . the fly just tags along for the ride.

So the flycasting process requires an entirely different set of mechanics than other methods of casting.  To flycast successfully, it necessitates that beginners forget all they know about other casting methods.  Not only do those dynamics not work, they are counterproductive.

Quite often, as beginners learn to cast a fly line, they revert to techniques they have previously used to cast lures.  This is always counterproductive.  It focuses the caster's attention on generally a much greater range of motion of the arm and rod while often using far too much energy.  The secret to casting a fly line is not a wide arc of the rod, but a short, compact one.  And too much energy or power that "forces" the cast is not necessary and results in a poor flycast. 

So, think different when learning how to flycast . . .

In all other forms of casting,
we cast a weighted lure

Previous / Next, let's review another basic: "stop the rod to make it go"