Casting
The casts, the mechanics behind them, and the faults that break them down. The same language our instructors use in casting classes at the shop.
18 terms in 5 groups
Core casts (4)
- Backcastalso back cast, back-castThe backcast is the backward part of an overhead cast, where the rod loads and the fly line unrolls behind you before the forward cast.
- False castalso false castingExtra back-and-forth casting in the air, without the fly landing, used to lengthen line, change direction, or dry and straighten the line before a presentation.
- Overhead castalso standard cast, basic fly castThe standard fly cast where the rod moves back and forward over your shoulder to form a loop and carry line through the air.
- Roll castalso Roll castingA roll cast is a fly cast made without a backcast, using the line on the water to load the rod and roll the loop forward.
Hauling & distance (3)
- Double haulalso double-haul, double haulingA double haul is a fly-casting technique where you pull on the fly line with your line hand on both the backcast and the forward cast to increase line speed.
- Shooting linealso mono running line, running lineA shooting line is a thin, slick running line that slides through the guides after the cast to add distance. It is used with a separate shooting head or integrated head system.
- Single haulA single haul is one deliberate pull on the line hand during either the backcast or the forward cast to increase line speed.
Loops & mechanics (3)
- Loopalso Casting loopThe loop is the U-shape in the line that forms during a cast and travels away from the rod tip. Its size and shape control speed, accuracy, and how the line turns over.
- Tailing loopA tailing loop is a casting fault where the top leg of the loop crosses under the bottom leg, often leading to a wind knot.
- Tight loopalso narrow loopA tight loop is a narrow, compact casting loop that unrolls with less side-to-side wobble than an open loop.
Presentation casts (6)
- Belgian castalso oval castA Belgian cast is a continuous casting stroke that keeps the line moving in an oval path, with a sidearm backcast and an overhead forward cast. It’s used to keep heavy or wind-resistant flies from crossing the rod tip and angler.
- Bow and arrow castalso bow-and-arrow cast, slingshot castA close-range cast where you bend the rod with the line and fly, then release it to shoot the fly forward. It’s used when there’s no room for a backcast, like under brush or in a tight pocket.
- Curve castalso Curved castA curve cast is a presentation cast that lands the leader and fly in a deliberate curve instead of a straight line.
- Reach castalso Reach mendA reach cast is an aerial mend, you extend the rod to one side as the line straightens so the fly lands with slack and the right line angle for the drift.
- Steeple castalso High backcast, Vertical backcastA steeple cast is a high, near-vertical backcast that sends the line up and over an obstacle behind you before the forward cast.
- Tuck castalso TuckA tuck cast is a forward cast finished with a deliberate “tuck” that kicks the leader over so the fly and tippet land first, with slack behind them.
Spey & two-handed casts (2)
- D-loopalso D loop, DloopThe D-loop is the loop of fly line that forms behind the rod during a Spey-style cast. It loads the rod and sets the direction and safety of the forward stroke.
- Switch castA Spey-style cast that sweeps the line into a D-loop with a brief touch-and-go anchor, then delivers the forward cast without an aerial backcast.