Fly Casting - Tips on casting controlled open loops

fly casting tight and open loops with a fly rod

Open It Up

Tips on fly casting controlled open loops - By Joe Mahler

My fly-fishing teeth were cut on fiberglass fly rods and, after wiping out my savings account, bamboo rods. I was always fascinated by the airborne line formations and gentle landings that skilled casters demonstrated. The loops that I saw as a teen were rarely what would be called tight by today’s standards, but what gave them elegance was control. 

A tight, or narrow, loop combats windy conditions, adds accuracy and distance to the cast and delivers the fly nicely under docks and overhanging tree limbs. But there are situations that call for a different approach and “opening-up” a bit can really improve your presentation. To be clear, I’m not talking about a wide, sloppy loop that a “wristy” windshield-wiper rod motion gives, but rather a rounded loop that is under tension and rolls out gracefully above the water surface. Let’s look at a few situations that call for something other than a laser-sharp loop.

 

Fishing heavily weighted and large air-resistant flies

Heavy-moving objects really don’t change directions very easily (think of a jack-knifed truck), so when casting a fly like a Clouser minnow, a wider-turning radius will make for a smoother cast. We have all heard that familiar “Tick” sound when the lead-eyed fly passes too close by and oftentimes fractures the rod - only to be discovered later while battling a fish or freeing a snag. Big deer-hair bugs and poppers present a similar problem and a slower-moving, more-open loop will make delivering the fly much more enjoyable.  

 

Wind

For punching a fly into the wind a tight loop is without a doubt, the way to go. But who says the loop has to be the same in both directions? Sometimes a tight loop on the back cast coupled with the wind creates too much line speed. Next time you’re casting into a wind, try opening up a little on your back cast and then throw that tight loop on the forward cast. When the wind is at your back, do the opposite and use the wind to your advantage as any good sailor would do.

 

Casting sinking lines 

Much like the weighted fly, casting sinking lines can be troublesome. The dense nature of the line makes for a very “jerky” cast when thrown with a very tight loop, inviting tailing loops and resultant wind-knots. By opening the loop properly, you will gain control and make a smoother cast and stealthier offering.  

 

Accuracy

An open loop is not generally associated with accuracy, but one situation that I call “goal posting” calls for it. Think about the last time you wanted to place the fly in a very tight spot between two trees with clearance above. By opening the loop on the forward stroke and drawing an imaginary line down the middle of the opening with the rod tip on the forward stroke, you will likely place the fly precisely on target with a soft landing and eliminate the chance of throwing a tailing loop.

 

Rod choice

Equipment also plays a role in the loop-shape picture. A faster, high modulus rod will be more conducive to throwing tight loops than a slower or medium action rod. A slower rod bends deeper and invites a more open loop as well as a relaxed style of casting. I have several slower fly rods that I enjoy both for fishing and instructing. The most popular rods on the market today tend to be much faster than rods from even ten years ago. It may be time to dust off that old favorite and give it a second look.  

What makes a good “open” loop? In short, it is control. As long as the line is under tension, we have control, as soon as slack is introduced we lose it.

A tight loop requires great line speed with an abrupt stop on the backward and forward casts. As you slow the stroke and soften the stops, the loop will naturally begin to widen. Adding slight wrist turn-over early and late will give the rod tip a gently arched path. Notice as you make these adjustments that the fly follows a lower path on the back cast (hip to shoulder high) and a higher path (above the rod tip) going forward.

  

Fly casting with a fly rod

 

 

Belgian Cast

A great way to open the loop and maintain or even gain distance is by using the Belgian cast, otherwise known as the Elliptical cast. The Belgian cast is a side-arm cast that relies on continuous motion, or nearly so, of the rod tip following the path of an ellipse. The fly line will pass under the rod tip on the back cast and over the rod tip on the forward cast 

Pull out 10 feet of line and start making small, steady circles with the rod tip. Notice that as long as the rod is moving steadily, the line follows. You can rotate your body around-the-clock and as long as the rod is moving smoothly at the proper speed, the line will continue to form those circles. The same holds true when making a Belgian cast.

 

Changing planes

My favorite way to open up is actually a combination of a side-arm and an overhead cast.

The Belgian cast is based on the line traveling back on one horizontal plane and going forward on another horizontal plane above. With this approach, the line travels backwards on a nearly horizontal plane and forward on a vertical plane. Here is how you do it;

Start with the rod tip on the water with a tight line. Rotate your hand so your palm and the side of the reel are facing upward. Draw the rod backwards to the side and to a slight upward angle. A crisp upward “flip” at the end of the backward stroke will straighten the fly line nicely and directly behind you. As the line straightens behind you, raise your rod (or circle up as spey casters say) to your upright casting position. From here, simply make your best forward cast accelerating smoothly and driving the rod tip in a straight path to a decisive stop. When coupled with the double-haul, impressive distances can be achieved with ease and fluidity.

This cast can also be used to form a horizontal loop overhead, sort of like a cowboy’s lasso, by picking the fly up on one side of the body and delivering it over the opposite side. Start by picking the line up as you would in a standard overhead cast and at the end of the back cast add the slight sideways “flick”, so the line passes by the outside of one shoulder and then to the outside of the other. This may take a bit of practice, but the overhead loop is great for side-wind conditions or when keeping line in the air while walking (or running) the beach.

 

Author

Joe Mahler fly casting

Joe Mahler is one of the USA's leading fly casting instructors and author and illustrator of “Essential Knots & Rigs for Trout” and “Essential Knots & Rigs for Salt Water”. You can Book a fly casting lesson with Joe via his website here

CUSTOMER FAVOURITES

GUIDES CHOICE

Epic Gift Card - Gifts For Fly Anglers
Epic Gift Card - Gifts For Fly Anglers from $50.00
Give the Gift of Choice No Delays, No Shipping. The Perfect Fly Fishing Gift On Time Every Time - Instant Delivery! Looking for the perfect gift for the Fly Angler in your life? Give them the gift of choice with a gift card. Gift cards are delivered by email from you directly from our website and contain instructions to redeem them at checkout. Gift cards are charged and redeemed on our stores base currency - $US For customers outside of the USA you can still shop and check-out in your native currency, our store does the conversion for you. Shopping for someone else (or yourself) but not sure exactly what to choose?Not sure what to get? Length, color or size?  It's very easy with an Epic Gift Card. You give - they choose! Schedule a Time to Send!You can even prescheduled  time / day / date that you would like your Gift Card delivered What is this?Gift Cards are delivered to you the purchaser by email and contain simple instructions to redeem them at checkout for products in our store. Each gift card features a unique code. Your gift card can also be printed out and gifted to the recipient, or it can be emailed to them immediately. Need Help? - drop us a line and we'll help you or your gift card recipient choose. How does it Work? Simple, you purchase the gift card you would like to give and check out just like you would for any online purchase. Our system will send you an email the recipient your gift card with your custom message. (That gift card has a unique voucher code on it) The recipient uses the voucher code to redeem against the purchase of their choice. Questions: Gift Cards work just like cash Any unspent balance can be used later Purchases can be topped up with cash, credit card or Paypal for larger purchases Customers can check their balance by visiting the unique gift card link sent via email Gift Cards have no additional processing fees. Purchase in your native currency to be redeemed at any time.Any questions or problems, just email us
Special
Double Fly Rod & Reel Vault Bag Epic Backcountry Double Fly Rod & Reel Vault Bag
Backcountry Double Fly Rod & Reel Vault $83.99 $119.95
Backcountry Double Fly Rod & Reel Vault Fish faster and smarter with the Backcountry Double Fly Rod Vault! This powerhouse of a storage solution is designed to carry two 9ft fly rods and reels, rigged up and ready to roll. Durably crafted from tough, water-resistant 600D Cordura material and reinforced by 210D Ripstop Polyester inner, you can rest assured your valuable fly rods and reels will be safe in all conditions. Waterproof YKK zippers keep moisture and dust out while the thickly padded interior protects your precious fly reels from being scratched. A hardshell outer helps look after your fly rods no matter what terrain awaits you. This is an unbeatable way to transport two complete setups. Save time and be ready to fish at a moment's notice!
Special
Best fly reel for fly fishing as voted by field and stream best of the best Best fly reel waterproof fly reel
Backcountry Fly Reel $295.99 $399.95
Large Arbor Backcountry Fly Reel II The best looking fly reel on the river. Our Backcountry fly reel features a smooth, sealed ceramic drag mechanism that boasts 3kg of drag and is easily swapped from left to right-hand wind. Super smooth sealed drag, lightweight large arbor, stealthy satin finish. Suitable for both fresh and saltwater use. CNC machined from cold-forged tempered 6061-T6 aluminum, High capacity large arbor spool Waterproof sealed stacked ceramic drag Type III military spec hard anodised finish Suitable for both fresh & saltwater use Large Arbor Spool The large arbor spool features a curved U shaped design that adds strength and assists in line levelling upon retrieval. The exposed reel edge makes for easy palming. A no-nonsense, tough, waterproof and lightweight fly reel. Epic in every way. Finished in a stealthy low sheen type III hard anodised satin finish available in any color as long as it's black.  Backcountry 3/4 Backcountry 5/6 Backcountry 7/8 Weight: 115g (4oz) Weight: 131g (4.6oz) Weight: 139g (4.9oz) Capacity: line + 50m  Capacity: line + 100m  Capacity: line + 150m  Dia:  84mm Dia: 94mm Dia: 104mm Got questions? - Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you.
Special
Fly Tying Tool Kit by Epic Fly Tying Tool Kit by Epic
Backcountry Fly Tying Kit $138.99 $199.00
Backcountry Fly Tying Kit Equally at home on a trip or on your fly tying bench, our Backcountry Fly Tying kit features the very best Italian made tools by Stonfo and a pair of remarkable hand crafted fly tying scissors by Renomed of Poland. There are no finer fly tying tools made. We've taken the best of the best and presented them in a thoughtful waxed cotton canvas tool roll featuring genuine leather trim and straps fastened with classic brass catches. The hand stitched waterproof tool roll houses & protects these high quality tools and features two additional pouches to tuck away fly tying materials and hooks. The Renomed "Fly Tier" scissors feature a 'super cut' finely serrated blade that makes cutting deer hair and fur a breeze, and the larger scissor handles afford comfort and extraordinary durability and functionality. Tool Collection  Renomed Fly Tier Super Cut scissors (retail US$45) Stonfo Dubbing Twister Stonfo Hackle pliers Stonfo Elite Bodkin (Stainless Steel) Stonfo Dubbing Brush Stonfo Bobtec1  Adjustable Bobbin With Ceramic Insert (Stainless Steel) Stonfo Elite Bodkin (Stainless steel) Stonfo Elite Whip Finisher (Stainless Steel)
Special
Stainless steel Hip Flask Hip Flask
Good Libations Stainless Hip Flask $23.99 $34.95
The Good Libations Stainless Steel Hip Flask  Carry your favourite adult beverage in style with our Good Libations Stainless Steel Hip flask. About the size of a small fly box it's the perfect addition to your fly vest or bag. Smooth rounded corners make for quick extraction in times of celebration. Stainless steel and about as tough as they come, at a hearty 9oz ( 28 ml) there's plenty to share! Stainless Steel Silicon cap retainer Easy sippin' ergo design Bigger than most Cheers! Capacity: 9oz ( 266 ml) Dimensions: 127mm x 83mm x 29ml Material: Stainless Steel Positive Mood Adjustment
Stroft Tippet carry system Stroft Cutter and Carry System - 3 spool Set
Stroft Cutter and Carry System - 3 spool Set $27.95
3 Spool Stroft tippet system Three high quality German made Stroft Cutter & retaining rings - made to fit over standard Stroft tippet Spools. Spool Holder Stroft short strap - Vest strap & Carabiner The ideal system to hold, dispense and trim Stroft tippet A retainer rings and high quality cutter ring. Cutter is razor sharp, and coated in some magical stuff that is corrosion resistant. (We couldn't even spell the alloy) Fits all Stroft spools from 25m to 50m (ABR, GTM, FC!, FC2, Fluer) Includes colour coded easy peel labels  This is an incredibly well made tippet system! *does not include spools of tippet material - Stroft Tippet Spools available for purchase separately  Got questions? - Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you.

The Epic Fly Rod Chooser

Find your perfect fly rod with our 10 second quiz

TAKE THE TEST
Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime Warranty

Love It or Return It

100% total satisfaction guarantee

5 Star Support

Industry leading support and service

Easy Returns

Hassle free returns

World Wide Shipping

Shipping worldwide daily
Experience the Epic® difference.