roll casting on stream????

[riverdog]

Jim I am 99% self taught when it comes to fly fishing and recall having the same issues the first couple of times out. Perfect the casting techniques with a shorter leader say 6 or 7 feet before you try it with a 9 foot leader. I'd say you want to fish several times out with shorter leader without problems before you try lengthening it. You can also be working on your stealth approach to the fish doing this. While the roll cast is a pretty basic technique I just don't use it much anymore. You need to ensure there is at least a little space behind and above you to do it. If your moving around a lot in tight areas (the best way to catch lots of fish on streams in my book) you have to at least glance behind you before attempting it. Look at some of the other casting techniques on you tube such as snake roll, spiral snake and the other similar ones. These are much more fluid movements and can be done with no space behind you or even if there a branch 3 inches above your head projecting past you and above the water. You can take the line from any position in the water and then use the space that is lateral to you (either side) and cast in any direction. The line utilizes the space that is in your peripheral vision so you're not having to constantly glance if you have room as you move about. There are unlimited ways to cast like this so just use the videos to get an idea of these techniques. Do what works for you in each situation and don't worry what they call the techniques or whether your doing the reverse double spiral snake roll right. It's all a lot easier than it looks, have fun and don't be afraid to experiment.
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