4. Learning to see the cast

Learning to see and diagnose casts is the first step toward fully understanding casting mechanics. Gaining this skill can be a challenge for candidates, but the skill is a hallmark of a good instructor!

Watching the line form a loop, seeing the shape of the fly leg, and the size of the loop and then recognizing what is inefficient or ‘undesirable’ about the loop is only half of what is asked of a good casting instructor. The other half is understanding what body motions contributed to the loop size and shape. Before moving into applying corrections to casting faults, learning to see the loop is the first step in identifying and correcting faults (Chapter Five).

When you start working to improve your ability to watch and learn from your loops, we suggest practicing the Horizontal Casting Drill found in Appendix A. Horizontal casting develops the ability to see loops, leading to a better understanding of them. Additionally, it provides a technique for:

Teaching beginners to break a cast into its two parts, a forward cast and a back cast.
Teaching the importance of the rod tip traveling in a straight-line.
Developing an understanding of the application of force.
Teaching loop control through manipulation of arc size and force application.
Teaching how to increase translation to increase casting stroke length.
Practicing and teaching the double haul.
Teaching how to cast a tight loop under a low-hanging obstacle.

b. Using Targets to Identify the Result of the Loop Shape

Learning to see the shape of the loop takes practice. As mentioned above, the Horizontal Casting Drill is an excellent way to see loop shape. Use it not only in your own practice, but also for teaching students. The addition of targets along a tape measure for the forward cast and the back cast during the drill are beneficial in identifying the result of the loop shape. Targets do several things. First, they allow you to measure the results of a cast and its loop shape by seeing whether the fly hit the target. Did it land too far or too short of the target, or, too far left or right of the target? By seeing the results of your cast, you can better determine what changes need to take place for improvement. Second, by using targets, the eye and body connection can be strengthened.

While focusing on your loop shape with targets during the Horizontal Casting Drill, cast at a 45° angle above the tape measure. Make sure all slack is removed from the line before initiating the forward cast. End the forward cast with the fly line on the grass along the tape. Ask yourself:

What shape was the fly leg of the loop? Was it straight or curved?
Did it travel alongside the tape measure or land four feet away from it?
Did it unroll all the way? If not, was enough force used during the casting stroke?
What was the size of the loop (the distance between the fly leg and the rod leg).
Was the loop narrow or wide?

Being able to see and recognize loop shapes is the first step toward analysis and fault correction. Be sure to be familiar with the following loops shapes:

After making the horizontal forward cast, make a horizontal back cast along the tape measure and allow the line, leader and fly to fall to the ground. Ask yourself the same questions as you did on the forward cast. Once you feel comfortable with the forward and the back casts being done separately, you can advance to false casting along the tape measure. Horizontal false casting is not only a great fishing skill, but it comes into play in Task 7, false casting from a near vertical to a horizontal plane.

To really advance your loop control, the next objective would be to continue horizontal false casting, intentionally making narrow and wide loops, and loops with straight and curved fly legs. Being able to cast faults intentionally is a sure way to gain a deeper understanding and control of your loops.