Curve cast
Also called Curved cast
A curve cast is a presentation cast that lands the leader and fly in a deliberate curve instead of a straight line.
- Group
- Presentation casts
- Category
- Casting
- Level
- Advanced
- Water
- Freshwater
Last updated
What Curve cast means
The curve comes from making the forward cast sidearm, with the rod traveling roughly parallel to the water, then stopping the rod so the line unrolls off-axis and falls in an arc. You can curve left or right.
Most anglers use it to put slack in the system on purpose, or to route the leader around an obstacle. It shows up with dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers when a straight-line layout would drag immediately or put the fly line over the fish.
Why it matters on the water
A planned curve buys time before the line comes tight. That extra slack can mean a longer drift with fewer mends, especially in short, technical lanes where a mend would move the fly or spook fish.
It also lets the leader take a safer path. Curving around a rock, a seam, or a branch keeps the fly in the feeding lane while the thicker fly line lands elsewhere, which is useful in clear, shallow water.
Read next
- Dead driftA dead drift is a drift where the fly moves at the same speed and direction as the current, with no pull from the fly line.
- MendingMending is repositioning fly line on the water during a drift to reduce drag and keep the fly moving naturally.
- Reach castA 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.
- Tuck castA 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.