Cycle Time

The key to successful flycasting lies in several intricately connected elements, none of which is more important than “Cycle Time.” Cycle Time refers to the amount of time a caster waits between the Backcast and Forward Cast. It is that period of hesitation taking place after the “Rear Power Stroke” has ended and before the “Forward Drift” initiates the “Forward Power Stroke.” It is the essence of proper timing that makes or breaks an efficient flycast.

Here are the steps in this timing process:

1. The caster brings the rod tip to an abrupt stop at the end of the Rear Power Stroke;

2. This unloads the rod, which pushes the fly line up and behind the caster in its characteristic U-shaped loop;

3. The caster waits until the fly line unfurls and begins to pull against the rod tip, re-loading the rod; for most casters, this is less than 1 second for a normal cast;

4. At this precise point, the caster begins the Forward Drift of the Forward Cast.

A seasoned flycaster knows when his/her fly rod is under load. They can feel the rod bending, or sense it, in their rod hand as each of the 2 strokes are made. Those casters without such experience are left to trial and error to determine their particular Cycle Time.

Note in these pictures:

· The upright casting arm . . . once the Rear Power Stroke is completed, the arm and wrist remain “locked” in position as the caster waits for the rod to re-load

· Rear rod drift . . . due to the acceleration immediately preceding the firm stop, the rod tip will drift to the rear as it “reaches back” for the fly line

· The "tight line" . . . by keeping the fly line tight with the line hand, the pressure it creates against the rod tip will ensure the rod bends under the weight of the line

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