Change of Direction Casts

Walter & Group...

In answer to my own questions, yesterday, as to the WOMBAT CAST and the JELLY ROLL, I searched my library and found no printed descriptions.  Ally Gowans informed me that the wombat cast is really a combination of a snap-Z and a Peri-poke.  Thanks to Juergen Freisenhahn for introducing me to these terms.

Then I accessed the video, "RIO'S MODERN SPEYCASTING" and found both maneuvers demonstrated there.

If you don't have this tape, simply go to the trailer on it on You Tube.  You will see that one and the jelly roll done.  The latter looks to me as though it is an addition of a roll move after D-loop formation prior to making the forward delivery. I'm not clear on its value, though the change of direction is made with the single Spey, anyway.

Some use the term "JUMP ROLL"; others, the "FORWARD SPEY" or the "LIVE LINE ROLL" for the SWITCH CAST. *

* SPEY CASTING by Simon Gawesworth, p. 51.

A crystal clear description and depiction of the SWITCH CAST appears in:  TWO-HANDED FLY CASTING , Spey Casting Techniques by Al Buhr, pp. 20 - 23.  Al feels that it is "vital" as a teaching tool for those learning Spey casting because it contains the basic elements needed for these casts.  This despite its limited use in actual fishing conditions.  Once learned, the student can progress to include change of direction.

One caveat on the simple change of directions on the forward cast and on the back cast :  They work well for short and medium distances, but not for long range presentations.

Gordy

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From Mark Milkovitch :

 

1. List as many change of direction (COD) cast as you can.  (At least 6.)

·         The Speys Single and Double

·         Back cast presentation

·         False casting change of direction including Roll Pickup for false casting COD

·         Change of direction roll (e.g. roll casting a nymph upstream from the dangle)

·         Elliptical/Oval casts

·         Curve Casts

I highlighted his inclusion of the back cast presentation, because this was one of the 180 degree changes I was looking for.  Some call this the "Barnegat Bay" cast. *

Then there is the 180 degree change of direction cast made by forming two forward casts; one in each direction and presenting on the one directly opposite the original fly position. Called the GALWAY CAST.**

*  THE CAST by Ed Jaworowski, pp. 116-121.

**   "       "       "   "           "        , pp.  126-129.

Gordy

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From Frank Harford :

 

6. You are wading a bonefish flat.  Your presentation at 35' has resulted in a spooked fish.  You turn and see that a bonefish is approaching from behind at only 20'.  Now you need a 180 degree change of direction cast while doing your best not to spook this fish.  What do you do ?

   Strip in 15 ft of line and then use a water haul to cast at the new target  or perhaps use a water haul followed by a tuck cast.

 

I agree with the use of the water haul.  Sometimes works well.  The tuck cast, however, is quite likely to spook the fish.  Better to do just the opposite in making the presentation with a slight upward vertical curve rather than a downward one.  What Joan Wulff calls, "an upward climbing power snap".  The loop sails out, then rises a bit as it unfurls allowing the fly to make a soft entry.   G.

 

 

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Different word pictures and other change of direction moves from Gary Eaton :

 

QUIZ :

 

1. List as many change of direction cast as you can.  ( At least 6. )  Series of false casts.   Flick cast.  Coxson Kick.  Belgian cast changing planes.  Jump roll and roll cast.  Single or Double Spey.  Point and reverse roll.

 

2. Give a brief description of each.

 

Series of False Casts -  False cast changing rod plane in increments at the pause.

 

Flick cast ? (for short 180 degree change of direction) Dangle, plane line and continue in straight line to stop (movement as in a back-cast).

 

Coxson Kick *? (for longer 180 degree change of direction) Dangle, plane line as in a back cast, rotate rod grip 180 degrees so that reel is facing as in a front cast to a stop.

 

Belgian cast changing planes ? Pick-up in the plane of the lie, maintain tip loading into the target plane without a stop to key position, forward cast.

 

Jump roll and roll cast ? Dangle, initial lift, begin backcast and reverse the casting stroke to a stop creating a loop that continues the backcast travel, anchor, sweep into the desired target plane and roll cast.

 

Point and reverse roll cast ? Dangle, sweep the rod to point at the target, reverse roll cast on the desired target plane and front cast.

 

Single Spey ? three movements melded into one at a waltz tempo.

 

Gary

 

* Briefly described as another term for the Snap-T by Simon Gawesworth in his SPEY CASTING, p. 143.     G.

 

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From Rene Hesse :

 

. List as many change of direction cast as you can.  ( At least 6. )

Single spey, double spey, snap T, Snap C, snake roll, flase cast, snap cast

 

2. Give a brief description of each.

 

 Single spey, Lift, circle up, touch and go. ------

 

Change direction 20-40 degrees, line on dangle, river left, upstream breeze, right hand; lift to 45 degrees to move P point toward fly, sweep rod toward center of stream and circle up to 180 degrees from target line.  The line will lift off water to form D loop, then when leader is in line with target-touch and go.

 

Double spey, lift, sweep accross, lay back over, circle up-D loop , forward cast.----

 

Change of direction 45-90 degrees.  Line on dangel river right, down stream breeze, right hand. Lift to 45,

lay line upstream by moving rod tip up, over and down as if following a box car outline.

Sweep rod tip waist high back over line on water and at target line circle up to form D loop, wait for 'L' to be pulled out and then make a forward cast.

 

Snap T- 45-90 degree change, river left, up stream breeze, right hander.

              Lift, make a snap cast over the rod tip to place the fly up stream approx 1 rod length away from caster.

              The rod tip should be ducked under the on coming line and moved back to the direction of the on coming

              line and touching the water, 180 degrees form leader.  When the line is setteled, use    the same technique as a double spey to sweep the rod tip back over laying line while waist high and increasing in speed to circle up and form D loop- rod at 1 oclock. Load the rod and make the forward cast.

 

Snap C- Same as Snap T but use a more rounded rod tip path to make the snap cast up stream. Used more for heavy flies.

 

Snake roll- Developed at the iron bridge pool on the river Torridge in England.(Ref- Spey casting by Simon gawesworth p122) It is a 90 degree change of direction cast. Wind comming at the non casting shoulder. ( Can be done  over  either shoulder just change the 'e' to clock wise or counter clock wise.)

                    Make a counter clock wise lower case 'e' starting with the rod traveling somewhat flat at the bottom  of the e and then as your complete the shape of the letter increase the acceleration.  The rod tip is accelerating as it sends the D loop back and the rod tip ends at 1 oclock behind the caster to then make the forwad cast. 

 

Snap cast- 180 degree change of direction cast.  

                   The rod is kept low to the water and as you lift slightly, move the rod tip in the direction 180 degrees from the dangle and accerate toward the target.  When you get to the point of a normal stop for the cast in that direction, duck the rod tip down and under the on coming line.

             

 

 

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