Casting In the Wind

Producer: Carl McNeil

Buy “Casts That Catch Fish” on MidCurrent

Why learn techniques that will help you compensate for wind? Simple—so you don’t hook yourself—or your mate!  Here are several helpful tips from “Casts That Catch Fish” by On the Fly Productions:

Gear Adjustments (not always practical)

  • Stiffer Rod
  • Heavier line
  • Aggressive weight forward taper
  • Shorten your leader
  • Use a heavier leader
  • Use a heavier fly
  • Use a less air resistant fly

How to Change Your Cast

Now is the time to get back to Bill Gammels 5 essentials.  When you’re dealing with the wind (and for me there’s a strong downstream wind just about every day I fish), you need to know the 3 L’s:

Three “L’s”

  1. Loop Size – Tight loops!
  2. Line Speed – High line speed!
  3. Line Plane (Trajectory) – Angled down into the wind

Into the Wind

  • High line speed
  • Low forward cast
  • High back cast
  • Get the line on the water as soon as possible

Wind Behind You

  • High forward cast
  • Low back cast
  • Roll cast
  • Wind will carry out and straighten the line for you

Wind Onto Your Casting Shoulder

  • Must remove the danger of putting the line or hook into your body
  • Side arm (low wind)
  • Vertical
  • Off the shoulder
  • Turn around and cast backward if it’s really bad!

Wind Off Your Casting Shoulder

Shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you, but be wary of other around you, particularly if you are on a boat or flats skiff.