Be Ready
Are you ready to feed that fish laid up on the bank or sliding down the grass? One must be ready at a moments notice to deliver the fly to the fish. I tell my clients they should cast just before they see the fish. Impossible I know but being in position to deliver a strike in a timely fashion will increase the likely hood of an eat. What is your ready position like? Here’s some things to ready yourself on the bow.
Fly Line-
Strip out your max distance amount of fly line, then cast it down wind and current. Figure out what your max distance is and get a visual reference how far that looks from the boat. This will help with timing on the cast. If you have a rocket of a cast and can shoot 80’ be aware of what you have to do to stop the fly at the correct distance. Strip the line back in and neatly lay it in the stripping basket, mat or cockpit. We all know fly line will wrap around any/everything available. It’s tough when the cast lands 10’ short because the line is in a birds nest at the stripping guide.
Leader-
Leaders range from 6’ to 12’ depending on species and conditions. Casting just the leader is inaccurate and sloppy. Fly line is designed to cast. How much fly line to do you have out of the tip of the rod? I suggest as much fly line as you can manage. The more fly line you have out the quick you can get a shot off. False-casts are time eaters, a good goal would be to shoot 30’ from one false cast. Very attainable with a bit of practice.
Fly-
Your distancing is set, line is neatly at your feet, there’s enough line to make a quick short cast out of your rod tip, now hold the fly in your hand. Some hold the leader just above the fly, which is okay. The down side is if you are more than 6” into the leader the fly will inevitably hook something, fly line, shirt cuff etc. Take a look at the fly, did the wind put a feather over bend of the hook? Is there a piece of grass? Did you rush your back cast and snap off the tail of the fly?
Cissy Bars-
Are you stable on the deck? Is there a sissy bar you can lean against? The added height is great for getting a better angle on the fish but if you’re unstable how will you be able to get a cast off? Find what works best for you. Also, lean against the bar, rest, take a break. When a fish is spotted come off the bar and face your target. Trying to cast around your body is just ineffective.
Now you’re ready, start scanning edges, light spots and most importantly listen to you guide.
