Double haul
Also called double-haul, double hauling
A 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.
- Group
- Hauling & distance
- Category
- Casting
- Level
- Intermediate
- Water
- Fresh & salt
Last updated
What Double haul means
The motion is two short, timed pulls, one as the rod loads on the backcast and one as it loads on the forward cast. Each pull is followed by giving line back to the rod hand, so the rod can keep a smooth stroke and the line can shoot.
In practice, the haul is small and fast, and it happens during the acceleration of the rod, not after the rod stops.
Why it matters on the water
Line speed is what tightens loops, turns over leaders, and carries a cast into wind. A clean double haul lets you get that speed without overpowering the rod or widening the casting arc.
Once the timing clicks, it reduces effort. That shows up late in the day, and it shows up when the fly is bulky, the leader is long, or the target is far enough out that a normal stroke runs out of room.
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Read next
- False castExtra 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 castThe standard fly cast where the rod moves back and forward over your shoulder to form a loop and carry line through the air.
- Single haulA single haul is one deliberate pull on the line hand during either the backcast or the forward cast to increase line speed.
- Tight loopA tight loop is a narrow, compact casting loop that unrolls with less side-to-side wobble than an open loop.