06-02-2009, 02:35 AM
Jim, on the casting...if you are fishing river/creeks/streams...I really don't see the need for false casting. You are asking for trouble in my opinion, specially if there are trees around.
Even when I fish a lake shore line.....ROLL CAST!!! Joan Wulff has a killer You Tube on roll casting.
NOW, on the false casting, it sounds like you might be powering it. I too am guilty from time to time. RELAX...keep the strokes short and WAIT for the line to straighten. The old 10 and 2, but keep a straight path as if you are painting the underside of a shelf. Feed line on the front stroke. When ready to lay it down...stop on the front stroke at the 10 position. Once the line has straightened out, then lay it on the water.
I use to be like Brook with good equipment and I myself practice the old you get what you pay for. I will agree that quality equipment is the ideal way to go and YES there is a difference.
But, I have had the chance to use some of the very inexpensive equipment lately and it has come a long way.
My first rod is the very one you got. It is on the heavy side, but you CAN learn on it and you will appreciate more expensive gear in the future.
I have also already said the reel is of no real concern at this point, but I am a STRONG believer that the line is the most important thing next to the right fly.
DON'T SKIMP ON THE LINE. It will make ANY rod perform either very bad or very good.
Try casting the line that came with your rod, then go to a fly shop and test cast a $70. line and you will see what I am talking about.
I actually prefer $100. Sharkskin as does several others that have broke down and bought it.
IF you decide to build your own rod, you will need a turner. They do come up on e-bay for good prices. A motorized is a must to get smooth finish on the guide wrapping.
You will need thread, a color preserver, a wrapper (a cardboard box with V cut in each end can work, but you need tension on the thread also.
It can be fun and a feeling of real accomplishment, specially with a fish on a rod you built yourself.
The only other problem I see with building your own at this point, is you have no idea what taper/action you want. And there is no way to test this on a blank.
I say, find an action/taper that works with you, then buy the blank...which could be down the road a ways.
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Even when I fish a lake shore line.....ROLL CAST!!! Joan Wulff has a killer You Tube on roll casting.
NOW, on the false casting, it sounds like you might be powering it. I too am guilty from time to time. RELAX...keep the strokes short and WAIT for the line to straighten. The old 10 and 2, but keep a straight path as if you are painting the underside of a shelf. Feed line on the front stroke. When ready to lay it down...stop on the front stroke at the 10 position. Once the line has straightened out, then lay it on the water.
I use to be like Brook with good equipment and I myself practice the old you get what you pay for. I will agree that quality equipment is the ideal way to go and YES there is a difference.
But, I have had the chance to use some of the very inexpensive equipment lately and it has come a long way.
My first rod is the very one you got. It is on the heavy side, but you CAN learn on it and you will appreciate more expensive gear in the future.
I have also already said the reel is of no real concern at this point, but I am a STRONG believer that the line is the most important thing next to the right fly.
DON'T SKIMP ON THE LINE. It will make ANY rod perform either very bad or very good.
Try casting the line that came with your rod, then go to a fly shop and test cast a $70. line and you will see what I am talking about.
I actually prefer $100. Sharkskin as does several others that have broke down and bought it.
IF you decide to build your own rod, you will need a turner. They do come up on e-bay for good prices. A motorized is a must to get smooth finish on the guide wrapping.
You will need thread, a color preserver, a wrapper (a cardboard box with V cut in each end can work, but you need tension on the thread also.
It can be fun and a feeling of real accomplishment, specially with a fish on a rod you built yourself.
The only other problem I see with building your own at this point, is you have no idea what taper/action you want. And there is no way to test this on a blank.
I say, find an action/taper that works with you, then buy the blank...which could be down the road a ways.
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