Jack Jones Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 So last week I'm casting my 6wt line with a White River 5x, 7.5' leader from BPS. No problem on the chuck and duck nymphing, but when I tied on a crackleback I could get it to straighten out on the forward cast. I'll grant that there was a light breeze, but I tried every direction. The fly line would unfurl with no problem, but the leader would not extend. It just fell in a pile at the end of the cast. I'll chalk some of that up to not being a great caster, but anyone else have any other suggestions. I fished the same rod/line the other week with a different 5x 9' leader and didn't seem to have this issue. Could it be that the White River leaders just aren't that great? "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 If the line lays out the leader should because it is meant to be an extension. It's always hard to give an opinion on something like a leader without seeing it, but my guess would be that the leader lacks the stiffness to lay out. That's one, another would be that the leader is too light to overcome the air resistance of the fly and another would be that it still had too much memory of the reel. Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 When you are casting dryflys try to make your forward cast straighten out parallel to and above the water surface at eye level....then smoothly follow the line (and fly) to the surface of the water with your rod tip. Keep in mind that a "perfect" dryfly cast will result in the fly being the first thing to touch the water. When done perfectly you'll actually have almost a full second of "hang time" when the extended line hangs in the air over the water before gravity takes effect. Once you get the mechanics of that down pat you can start practicing in-air mends (reach, tuck, or snake presentations). One way to "cheat" is to purposely overshoot your intended target and pull back a bit just as the line is straightening out in mid air on the forward stroke, that will usually straighten out even a very limp leader or an overly long tippet, but doing that kills the hang time and doesn't allow the opportunity to do in-air mends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Jones Posted October 7, 2011 Author Share Posted October 7, 2011 Wrench, that last bit sounds real good. Thanks for the advice on this strange topic. "Thanks to Mother Mercy, Thanks to Brother Wine, Another night is over and we're walking down the line" - David Mallett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flysmallie Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 When you are casting dryflys try to make your forward cast straighten out parallel to and above the water surface at eye level....then smoothly follow the line (and fly) to the surface of the water with your rod tip. Keep in mind that a "perfect" dryfly cast will result in the fly being the first thing to touch the water. When done perfectly you'll actually have almost a full second of "hang time" when the extended line hangs in the air over the water before gravity takes effect. Once you get the mechanics of that down pat you can start practicing in-air mends (reach, tuck, or snake presentations). One way to "cheat" is to purposely overshoot your intended target and pull back a bit just as the line is straightening out in mid air on the forward stroke, that will usually straighten out even a very limp leader or an overly long tippet, but doing that kills the hang time and doesn't allow the opportunity to do in-air mends. Should I wait until the ripples dissipate before I should expect a take? An in air mend? Yeah, we all know that isn't gonna happen for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Oh c'mon now Ronnie, didn't you ever play with a lariot when you were a young cowpoke? With all those girls in the house you should be a jump-rope master by now....Criss-cross applesauce, man. Same deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flysmallie Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Oh c'mon now Ronnie, didn't you ever play with a lariot when you were a young cowpoke? With all those girls in the house you should be a jump-rope master by now....Criss-cross applesauce, man. Same deal. I could never do the lariot thing either. That's probably why I was kicked out of Oklahoma. And I don't know how jump rope has anything to do with it. I was on a championship double-dutch team when I was in high school and I still can't cast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinwrench Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 I could never do the lariot thing either. That's probably why I was kicked out of Oklahoma. And I don't know how jump rope has anything to do with it. I was on a championship double-dutch team when I was in high school and I still can't cast. Hmmm, and you think BASEBALL is gay ! LMAO, I couldnt resist. I tried, I really did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flysmallie Posted October 8, 2011 Share Posted October 8, 2011 Hmmm, and you think BASEBALL is gay ! LMAO, I couldnt resist. I tried, I really did I still can't believe that you believe everything I say. Can you really imagine me on a jump rope team? That would be hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian K. Shaffer Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 This is a fun read. I laughed my applesauce off. Just once I wish a trout would wink at me! ozarkflyfisher@gmail.com I'm the guy wearing the same Simms longbilled hat for 10 years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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