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After guiding fly fishermen full time for 30 years I've seen about every casting issue possible. Downward or upward movement during the stroke is the starting point of all casting issues. The elbow is the culprit in these movements. If you watch all the great casters you will notice they all have different methods but the constant is that they remove the elbow movement from their cast. That means the elbow is tight to the torso and does not flex during the cast. This up and down movement is super difficult to correct.

If you practice repetitive casts while holding a water bottle or rolled up towel between your elbow and torso you will throw perfectly straight line in tight loops. This needs to be repeated until its second nature (muscle memory). Every other part of the cast including distance and accuracy will fall into place once the elbow is tamed.

Ken
 
Ken,
The elbow-tight-to-the-side obviously works for you. I haven't found it useful for me, though. Could be an example of different styles working best for different folks.

In Tim's video, his elbow is out front and it starts out higher as he casts longer. The elbow drops during the forward cast, which helps to keep the line moving in a straight, horizontal line as the rod swings up to vertical, and then helps establish the depth of the loop as the rod swings forward. It feels more natural to me, like throwing a baseball.

Another Tim video that I really like is called "hyper distance." He talks about the different ways he and Steve achieve distance. Lots of elbow motion in this cast. Definitely not a beginner topic, but another example of how different techniques can suit different individuals.

Best regards,
Keith

 
Hmmmmm?
Restrain your wrist? 10-2? Static elbow???
Somebody apparently forgot to tell poor Tim in the video above!

I’d suggest understanding concepts like the need for a variable casting arc, elimination of slack, smooth application of power, achieving a straight line path, etc……..and then learning how to implement them is far more helpful. You can do it on your own but it will take huge effort and time. The right instruction will greatly shorten the learning curve and get you to a higher ultimate level.

Find a good instructor, preferably an MCI with saltwater or distance casting chops, off the FFI website. If the first lesson goes well then book more with several weeks in between. It will be by far the best money you ever spend on fly fishing and will pay huge dividends as long as you pursue fish with a fly rod.
 
Ken,
The elbow-tight-to-the-side obviously works for you. I haven't found it useful for me, though. Could be an example of different styles working best for different folks.

In Tim's video, his elbow is out front and it starts out higher as he casts longer. The elbow drops during the forward cast, which helps to keep the line moving in a straight, horizontal line as the rod swings up to vertical, and then helps establish the depth of the loop as the rod swings forward. It feels more natural to me, like throwing a baseball.

Another Tim video that I really like is called "hyper distance." He talks about the different ways he and Steve achieve distance. Lots of elbow motion in this cast. Definitely not a beginner topic, but another example of how different techniques can suit different individuals.

Best regards,
Keith

Keith
You are correct in the differences in style but the Rajeffs cast in a style that may be realized by only a minute portion of the fly casting population. The act of keeping the rod tip in a straight line while using every muscle in the body to achieve maximum speed is a huge display of coordination and athleticism. Of the thousands of anglers that I have worked with very few could ever accomplish the extended length of their stroke while keeping the rod tip in line. For the average guy who loves to fish, wants to improve accuracy, distance and conversion of opportunities on the water it starts with an elbow tight to the body.

The casting drill I recommend is best for those who are experiencing issues with their cast. It may be the only way to correct the cast for many. Most casters simply cannot move the rod from stop to stop in a straight line. Most casters also never stop the rod tip on the delivery but instead slow until the rod is somewhere down by the water.

The simple drill of holding an item between elbow and torso is the only drill I have ever found that will actually force defined stops front and rear and eliminate downward motion. It is also the only effective way I have found to correct years of bad habits with the rod. Once a caster corrects the flaws through this drill they can then develop their own style and follow through. The tiny things that Tim talks about in the video that add the mega distance are just not possible without the solid foundation of throwing straight, understanding that the stop creates the cast and that what ever direction the rod tip is heading when you stop is where the fly will go.

Videos are great. Having a experienced caster chirping in your ear is great. Watching and listening however does little more than making a person understand their mistakes. If you truly want to correct something that is instilled in your muscle memory it take mind tricks and hard work (repetition).

The item held between the elbow and the torso overrides the muscle memory one has developed. The brain knows you want to hold the item tight and will not let you make the movements that will allow the item to fall. Front too far, back too far. down or up. The exact movements that destroy the fly cast. It forces a straight cast. For this to be an effective drill it has to be repeated over and over again. It is best to take intervals of 15 to 20 false casts before letting line to ground or water and repeating. Casters should let the line alternately fall to the front and rear which further defines stops. This should be repeated for 5 or 10 minutes a day until the problems resolve.

I also jam a water bottle under my clients elbow whenever their cast turns to crap on the water. A few minutes normally puts them back in the game.

Ken
 
Keith
You are correct in the differences in style but the Rajeffs cast in a style that may be realized by only a minute portion of the fly casting population. The act of keeping the rod tip in a straight line while using every muscle in the body to achieve maximum speed is a huge display of coordination and athleticism. Of the thousands of anglers that I have worked with very few could ever accomplish the extended length of their stroke while keeping the rod tip in line. For the average guy who loves to fish, wants to improve accuracy, distance and conversion of opportunities on the water it starts with an elbow tight to the body.

The casting drill I recommend is best for those who are experiencing issues with their cast. It may be the only way to correct the cast for many. Most casters simply cannot move the rod from stop to stop in a straight line. Most casters also never stop the rod tip on the delivery but instead slow until the rod is somewhere down by the water.

The simple drill of holding an item between elbow and torso is the only drill I have ever found that will actually force defined stops front and rear and eliminate downward motion. It is also the only effective way I have found to correct years of bad habits with the rod. Once a caster corrects the flaws through this drill they can then develop their own style and follow through. The tiny things that Tim talks about in the video that add the mega distance are just not possible without the solid foundation of throwing straight, understanding that the stop creates the cast and that what ever direction the rod tip is heading when you stop is where the fly will go.

Videos are great. Having a experienced caster chirping in your ear is great. Watching and listening however does little more than making a person understand their mistakes. If you truly want to correct something that is instilled in your muscle memory it take mind tricks and hard work (repetition).

The item held between the elbow and the torso overrides the muscle memory one has developed. The brain knows you want to hold the item tight and will not let you make the movements that will allow the item to fall. Front too far, back too far. down or up. The exact movements that destroy the fly cast. It forces a straight cast. For this to be an effective drill it has to be repeated over and over again. It is best to take intervals of 15 to 20 false casts before letting line to ground or water and repeating. Casters should let the line alternately fall to the front and rear which further defines stops. This should be repeated for 5 or 10 minutes a day until the problems resolve.

I also jam a water bottle under my clients elbow whenever their cast turns to crap on the water. A few minutes normally puts them back in the game.

Ken
Great stuff!
 
My twe
There are some good instructors not far from you but if you want to learn on your own there are some great instructional YouTube videos out there. So many it will make your head spin.

Captain Will has some great ones. Look at the others as well. This one was amazing for me. I just watched it again after posting and had to edit my post to add this line...notice how easy he makes it look. I and many others tried to muscle the line and make it look like we are working way to hard to get the line to move. Look how easy he makes it look when he does the crisp 10 and 2 STOPS. When I get excited and see a fish I sometimes catch myself still reverting to the overpowering cast and have to remind myself it should feel almost effortless. We’re all still learning I don’t care how much time you have fly casting!

My 12 year old has taken a interest in fly fishing. I showed him this video a while back when browsing for instructional videos like Lefty’s. Not safe for work or kids. But good info nonetheless. I just glad he didn’t want me to expand on what power F-ing meant. I would have told him to go ask his mother.😬
 
My best advice is practice in windy conditions. And start each cast from scratch with fly in hand. When the wind picks up in the evenings. I practice on live targets like tegus and bunny rabbits at my shop. In this pic you can see my toad stuck in the fence just in front of the rabbit. A bit close for poons. But probably a good shot on a tailing red. A storm was moving in and it was very windy. The fly is my practice fly me and my kids use. I broke the hook off at the bend on a small tarpon. So no worries of sticking somebody.
No bunnies were harmed in the making of this picture.
Image
 
That Rajeff style is great for distance competions or shore- based fishing. Do that on my boat and every fish within 100 yds will vamooose.
I agree with that statement. Nobody can dispute the Rajeffs abilities. But I think that is more suited to competition standing on hard ground than real life fishing scenarios. All that movement will have the boat rocking and potentially spook fish. I try my best to replicate Lefty’s style. Simple and compact rotating around my core. Not a fan of that ballerina looking finish.
 
In addition to videos, i would recommend the book by Ed Jaworowski: Perfecting the cast.
I found it's a good resource. Video of your cast technique is tremendously helpful.
Understanding the timing, when, how and why of the cast helped me. A bit droll, not as fancy as videos but helpful.
 
Finally watched the Will Benson video. He does have nice stops. Noticed he advocates tucking the elbow. Always wanted to fish with him, but can't now! ;^) He would throw me off the boat for waving my elbow!

I feel for the guy being instructed, if he is a beginner. Talk about drinking from a firehose!
 
Forgot to mention, get a tripod for your iPhone and record on a app like Hudl Technique. Then you can slow it down and see what’s going on.

I think that app has changed since the last time I used it, but there should be something similar.
 
My best advice is practice in windy conditions. And start each cast from scratch with fly in hand. When the wind picks up in the evenings. I practice on live targets like tegus and bunny rabbits at my shop. In this pic you can see my toad stuck in the fence just in front of the rabbit. A bit close for poons. But probably a good shot on a tailing red. A storm was moving in and it was very windy. The fly is my practice fly me and my kids use. I broke the hook off at the bend on a small tarpon. So no worries of sticking somebody.
No bunnies were harmed in the making of this picture. View attachment 210027
It’s always better to have casting targets as you’ve learned. Don’t forget to practice with the wind coming from all directions of your position, not just a tailwind!
 
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