Hold the Line

My view from the poling platform gives me the unique perspective to observe anglers in actions while engaging a target. This allows me to go over with them post shot what went wrong or could be adjusted for a better presentation, retrieve, or fight. Most of my “content” for this comes from recurring patterns from a wide array of anglers from beginners to seasoned pros(myself included).

Over the last couple months I’ve been saying, “Get Tight to the fly”. Noticing that once the fly is delivered the angler is sorting the line before they are actually fishing the fly. Let me ask you this, what is your line hand doing when you are delivering the cast? Do you let go of the line completely? There’s plenty of duties required from the line hand. Hauling, stripping and the very important setting being on the top of the list but also controlling the line through the cast.

Try this- As you deliver the fly, make an “OK” sign with your line hand and allow the line to run through it loosely. Almost as if it were the initial guide on your rod. This prevents the pile of line you’re shooting to slide out unfettered. It also gives you more control to adjust for what the fish may do during your cast. Then stop the line. Now you’re connected to the fly and are fishing straight away. Instead of unwrapping it from the butt of your rod, then stripping in 6’ of line, then looking for the fish that is now out of position, etc.