Walter & Group.......
TO DRIFT OR NOT TO DRIFT
A good way to increase stroke length, rod arc, and tip travel for a long forward cast is to get the rod tip way back (not back and down ! ) on or immediately following the back cast .
As I see it, there are three ways of doing this. The caster's choice is a matter of style :-
1.) DRIFT. This can be seen as a repositioning of the fly rod between strokes. After the STOP of the back cast and the start of loop formation at the rod straight position (RSP), the caster elects to move the rod tip back in the direction of the unrolling loop. This not only gains much greater tip travel for the following forward cast, but it gives a bit of, "hang time" during which the caster can also reposition the casting arm as a set-up for the forward cast. While this technique can be used effectively when casting with many styles, it may well be most commonly used with elbow forward/vertical rod plane or off vertical rod plane styles. Having never used a drift move until I spent time with Joan Wulff, I find its use magical to say the least when I switch to a vertical casting style to solve certain casting-fishing challenges.
2.) LAYBACK. Popularized by Gary and Jason Borger, this is another technique to get the rod tip way back for increased stroke length, rod arc and tip travel for the forward cast. Jason Borger defines layback as, "a controlled moving of the rod back and towards the horizontal after the back cast has been made..." (THE NATURE OF FLY CASTING, pp. 232-233.) This method, I've noted, is most commonly used with vertical or near vertical rod plane styles of casting.
3.) PLACING THE ROD TIP ALL THE WAY BACK DURING THE BACK CAST. I find myself getting ever closer to actually doing this as I smooth out the blend between my back cast and the drift. Hard to even sense or see the, "stop" prior to the drift.
With much of my salt water casting using a low elbow / off horizontal rod plane casting style, I'll often simply bring my rod all the way back and up a bit and stop there. When back casting into a wind, I'll literally thrust my rod tip back . This eliminates a true, "drift" and does the whole maneuver with one motion. I use this method when making a back cast presentation. (More than 30% of the fish I catch on the flats are caught on a back cast presentation).
Most of the Australian salt water fly fishermen I've fished with use this or an even more horizontal rod plane style than Lefty's. Rod Harrison (often thought of as the, "Lefty Kreh of Australia") has honed this style to perfection .. I was amazed by the power and accuracy of his casts as he joined me here in the Keys tarpon fishing. He uses no drift move at all. This style suits his body habitus well...... he's short, stocky, and powerfully muscled.
This is sometimes referred to as a, LEFTY'S STAB. It is part of Lefty's default casting style.
Ed Jaworowski has written an article called, FORGET THE DRIFT for the Oct./Nov. issue of SALTWATER FLY FISHING, in his Casting column, pp 22-23. His opinion is that when using a horizontal rod plane style that the drift is unnecessary.
He states, " A fly caster executes the drift by comencing with his hand in front at point A, moves rearward to point B and stops, then while the line is unrolling behind him, drifts his rod hand to point C before beginning the forward cast. My contention is that going directly from point A to C would make a longer stroke and would not incorporate any extra movement, thereby making the backcast easier just as going forward from C to the finish makes the forward stroke easier."
Reading the entire article provides insight into his (and Lefty's) style and philosophy of casting.
Each of these methods provides increase of potential tip travel needed for the forward cast. Each helps negate the liklihood of creep (which will shorten the stroke length and rod arc for the forward cast.). In addition, even without creep, each method helps prevent a forward stroke length which is too short for the amount of line carried and the distance of the cast, leading to a lessened incidence of tailing loops.
To eliminate any one of them would result in diminishing the compleat fly fisherman's repertoire of techniques needed to solve the many casting challenges which appear in the real world of fly fishing.
Gordy