Adjustments

Imagine if you will, clear blue skies, light Northerly winds, crystal clear water and a call of “left 10 O’clock 40feet, facing away.”. What’s your first move? Cast wildly to 2 O’clock? Unhook your fly from the trolling motor? Point the rod to where you think is the target is?(correct answer, by the way.) The clock is ticking and you need to make the cast. There’s a ton of information to take in and process before that cast is delivered. Here’s some things to be aware of and adjust to during that one second of processing information before the cast.

Wind- remember that light wind out of the North? It just moved East and picked up 8 knots. Now your 10 O’clock shot needs to adjust for the wind.

Shadows- Where is the sun in the sky? Is my fly line going to cause a shadow moving in the vicinity of the fish? Or my rod?

Current- Is there a current? Do I need to land the fly up current to present the fly to the fish “downstream”?

Orientation- Which way is the fish pointed? The fly needs to land with out the fish seeing or hearing it hit the water and then be able to slid it into the feed zone.

Movement- Moving fish need careful placement of the fly. A predator’s prey never swims at a predator. If the fish is moving away the shot is going to be in front and to the side. Coming at you? Land the fly outside of the heading and gently slide it into its path.

Refraction- Due to the light bending as it enters the water, the fish’s apparent position will be off from its actual position. The fish is deeper and farther away than it looks. Adjust your cast accordingly.

Got it? Now shoot your shot and feed that fish!