Today we’ve got a video featuring our friend Tim Rajeff – the Man at Echo Fly Rods and Airflo North America, and one of the best casters you’ll ever spend time with on a flat.
In saltwater you need to deal with 4 distinct wind situations – in your face, at your back, from the left and from the right – and Tim takes us through some quick pointers on how to deal with each of those situations. Have a look!
NOTE: If you’re viewing this in a newsletter or a reader, click here to see the video on our web site.
Here’s the summary of what Tim covers in the video.
- For a right handed caster, the easiest situation is when the wind blows left to right – the line is being blown away from you. All you have to do is change your aim.
- When casting into the wind, use an easy, open back cast and a hard forward cast. On the forward cast throw a tight loop, generate high linespeed, and aim your cast down so the fly turns over just at the water.
- With the wind at your back, consider a rollcast! Otherwise use a quick, tight backcast and open up your forward cast.
- The hardest situation is when the wind is blowing your line into you. Cast sidearm if the wind is modest. If the wind is stiff, cast with the line off your other shoulder, or present the fly on your backcast.
Good tips from Tim. One of the things could help neophyte bonefishes is to put in plenty of practice time casting before taking a trip and learn how to double haul from a certified casting instructor. The double haul will make delivering the fly much easier and far more efficient.
The other nice thing to see happen is have magazine photos on fishing the flats not be in pristine conditions, which is rarely what you find in the Caribbean. Practicing in the wind is much better than practicing on a dead calm day.