Let Down
(Step 5 in Cast Execution)
The "Let Down" is the final stage of the complete casting cycle. Think of it as the “follow through” to the completion of the forward power stroke in the forward cast.
The Let Down is a gradual, smooth, lowering of the rod to the "fishing plane". It finishes with the rod tip pointing "at the target." Unlike other angling methods, fly fishing is “fished” from a very low rod tip position. The completion of the Let Down should place the rod in a low, angle-down posture, with the rod tip about 2” above the water. This keeps a straight line between the angler and the fly line, with as little slack as possible, thus enabling control of the fly line, fly and ability to react to a strike.
A key task during the Let Down is for the line hand to place the fly line into the index finger of the rod hand. This must-do step is the only means to line control after the cast.
Note in the video clip:
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Let Down begins at the end of the forward power stroke
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it is a steady lowering of the rod tip toward the caster's target
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keep a "tight line" by placing the fly line in the finger of the rod hand
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the finishing angle of the rod should give you a straight line to the fly line/fly
Unlike other fishing
methods, in fly fishing, we use our
line hand,
as opposed to a reel, to do most of the "fishing" and/or
retrieval of the lure.
The let down phase is where we prepare for "fishing the fly" by gaining control of the fly line in our rod hand finger and keeping a tight line between that point and the fly.
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techniques in flycasting 