CASTING IN THE WIND

It happens once in a while that there is no wind, but it never lasts. It might be beneficial to our casts, but we soon realize that it will become very difficult to catch fish. We like a slight ripple on the surface, but then again, we might get whitecaps. Additionally, we like the wind to blow from certain points of the compass. Now, how often will we be in that Goldilocks zone? There is no way around it; we must learn to deal with wind from all directions because that is what we get.

How does the wind affect our casts? The optimal wind is from the non-dominant shoulder to the dominant shoulder because it keeps the fly away from our bodies, minimizing the risk of accidents. When the wind is blowing the other way, we risk accidental self-hookups as the wind can blow the fly onto our bodies. Tailwind makes it difficult to straighten the line on our backcast, and we can have slack in the line before the forward cast. Headwind naturally affects our forward cast when it can blow the line and leader back.

Fishing freshwater

When fishing in moving water, we can usually find some sheltered places from the wind. Fishing in lakes is a different situation, and the wind can become quite bothersome. It helps to have a fast rod in windy places. Noodles (soft rods) are not the best choice.

Fishing the salt

The wind always blows harder when we fish the salt and there will be no shelter. The wind is steady and a calm day is rare. When we cast from a boat we will not be producing our longest cast because of the movement of the boat, however subtle.  We must practice to be successful in the salt. The flies we use tend to be big and sometimes heavy too. The fish are constantly moving and we need to cast ahead of them and a bit farther then strip the fly into their assumed line of movement. Double hauling and shooting line is a must. We need to be able to cast at least 50’ otherwise we are in for a very long day.

The scenarios

Crosswind

From non-dominant to dominant shoulder - that is the position we want to be casting in.

From dominant to non-dominant shoulder - now the fly can impale us (always wear glasses). Try a sidearm cast (horizontal) that places the fly further from our bodies.

Cast from the non-dominant shoulder with arm/rod across the body.

Cast with the non-dominant hand.

Turn around and deliver the fly on the backcast. This is the most powerful way to do it.

Headwind

Aim the backcast higher and the forward cast lower, i.e. tilt the trajectory (180 degrees rule) down on the forward cast (high - low). Thus, the wind has less time to ruin the delivery.

Hauling during the backcast can become superfluous but absolutely vital on the forward cast.

Very hard headwind - haul but do not shoot the line into the wind.

High line speed is a must, and the loops need to be razor-sharp.

Tailwind

Aim the backcast straight back into the wind with a sharp loop. That way, the line has the most aerodynamic shape.

The forward cast can be aimed a bit higher.

Open up the loop and let the wind help you on the forward cast.

Hauling is a must on the backcast but is not always needed on the forward cast.