JJ Cale and the trick to Roll casting Fly Casting - The Swift Fly Fishing Company

September 04, 2013

A common problem with roll casting is the ability to lift a longer line from the water.

• The trick here is to keep in mind that the magic of a roll cast has much to do with the size of the D-Loop.

• A small D-loop will only provide sufficient mass to lift a short length of line. To cast a longer line, the D-loop must be proportionally bigger.

• That D-loop must also be formed beside and behind you - rather than out in front or you.

• The forward delivery stroke needs to be fundamentally the same as your overhead cast - with the rod tip moving straight out at above eye level in a (comparatively) straight line.

• Chopping down with the rod tip - (as if you are chopping wood) will only result in a large ineffective loop that is unlikely to straighten out fully.

• Start slow & accelerate smoothly, delaying that final rod rotation (Joan's "powersnap") until the very end of the stroke.

Here's a short clip that covers the basics. The Roll cast and many others are covered in my Casting DVD "Casts that Catch Fish" available here

To help remind you about where to apply the power on the Roll Cast or any fly cast, think about applying power "after midnight"