CASTING COACH: ROLL CAST

The Roll Cast is a most important cast. Not only is it the simplest cast for beginners, but it might just be the most versatile and most important cast you learn. In fact, I'd say, when casting small streams, it's far more important than overhead casting.

The Roll Cast includes all of the 3 steps we learned in our last lesson: Loading Move, Power Snap, & Follow Through. The difference being that the roll cast has only a forward cast (no backcast). As with everything we have discussed so far, attention to the details of hand/arm positions is fundamental to a good roll cast. So, stay focused on the hand and arm and you will be making perfect roll casts in very short order. The steps are outlined with the photographs below.

In this starting position, just check a few quick things. The grip needs to be proper and relaxed. A target needs to be chosen (we never just cast at nothing...right?). While you can roll cast with a square stance, this is a good time to check your stance. Have the foot of the casting arm slightly back. This will be more comfortable and get you used to this important position. Having that foot back will allow rotation at the hips which will be important later with other casts. 

Once you are ready, then lift the rod (tilted out slightly) to the position we learned for the backcast in previous lessons.

Once in the backcast position, you have all of the time in the world to make your roll cast. So, RELAX and CHECK ALL OF YOUR HAND AND ARM POSITIONS.

If the hand and arm positions are correct, confirm that your line is making a D-Loop behind you (it will make the shape of a "D" with your rod).

Ok, hand/arm positions are correct and you have a D-Loop. Now we're going to make our 1st LOADING MOVE to a POWER SNAP.

The LOADING MOVE (motion which causes the line to load energy into the rod) consists of rotating the arm down at the shoulder joint and extending the forearm at the elbow joint. The motion is most easily thought of like a chopping motion with a Tomahawk (though not that forceful).

This image just helps you better visualize the need to have the rod tilted slightly out to be able to form the D-Loop.

As you come down to this position with the LOADING MOVE, the POWER SNAP consists of the position we learned for the stop of the forward cast.

The POWER SNAP consists of an abrupt stop while simultaneously pressing the rod grip with the bottom of your thumb and rolling pressure to the bottom of the rod grip sequentially from the 5th finger to the index finger. Remember, you are stopping with the end of the thumb pointing right at your target. 

As quickly as you made the abrupt stop with the POWER SNAP, relax your grip and gently lower your rod tip for the FOLLOW THROUGH.

BANG! You got it! Take your time, relax, check all of your positions, and practice practice practice. This is easy if you just use the skills you have already learned and now put them together.

Sometimes the wind is working against you, blowing from your casting shoulder across your body. When this happens it will blow your D-Loop right into you and make is difficult to complete your roll cast. What to do?

It's simple, you'll just roll cast off of your opposite shoulder this time. The steps are the same except this time you will bring your grip up to the level of your forehead lined-up with your nose in the center of your head. Tilt the rod over your opposite shoulder this time and let the D-Loop form on the opposite side of your body.

Relax, check all of your positions, and proceed with your LOADING MOVE, POWER SNAP, and FOLLOW THROUGH.

From the back so you can see the proper rod tilt for roll casting off of the opposite shoulder.

Once you have mastered this you will be half way home with the basic overhead cast. Remember, focus on mastering the fundamentals of the hand and arm positions for each of these steps and you will cut years off of becoming a fantastic fly caster!

Are you ready to start casting or improve your casting? I can help you with that. Call me! LET'S GET CASTING!