Casting Distance

[Oregon_OwlII]

I concern myself with reading the water more than casting distance. I've seen guys wading up to their chest on the Delaware, when a half hour before they arrived, a large fish was working where they were standing. If you are in over your thighs, you are standing where the fish would be holding.

 

[tomgamber]

For me its usually about a foot shorter than I need it to be.

 

[MarkC]

I always figured that if you can cast a whole flyline consistently and accurately , the 50 footers in the wind would be a piece of cake.

Mark C

 

[dryflyguy]

I concern myself with reading the water more than casting distance. I've seen guys wading up to their chest on the Delaware, when a half hour before they arrived, a large fish was working where they were standing. If you are in over your thighs, you are standing where the fish would be holding.

I've caught my biggest fish on the Delaware within inches of the bank

 

[jifigz]

I concern myself with reading the water more than casting distance. I've seen guys wading up to their chest on the Delaware, when a half hour before they arrived, a large fish was working where they were standing. If you are in over your thighs, you are standing where the fish would be holding.

Unless if you're in over your thighs to reach the other shallower water near the opposite bank where those fish may be holding.....Of if you're in over your thighs in the winter because the fish are in deep holding water hugging the bottom and you can't get the best drift without getting close to them...or if you're in over your things because it is sweltering hot and you couldn't care less about catching those fish and you just want to be deeper in the water because the cool waters of your favorite trout stream feel refreshing and soothing....

 

[jifigz]

I will add this: When it comes to fishing, being able to cast really far is near the bottom of practical fishing skills and assets to have. It is cool to show-off and to just be able to do it, but in the vast majority of actual fishing situations for most species of fish, it is of little importance to being a good angler.

 

[tomgamber]

It is cool to show-off and to just be able to do it, but in the vast majority of actual fishing situations for most species of fish, it is of little importance to being a good angler.

Exactly why I probably cast further than I need to when others aren't around. I'm just having fun. This is still supposed to be fun right?

 

[jifigz]

Exactly why I probably cast further than I need to when others aren't around. I'm just having fun. This is still supposed to be fun right?

It is what you make it, but in my eyes, yes, it's supposed to be fun.

 

[Duriensbane]

50ft with my 8wt and a sink tip. 70ish feet with an 11ft spey rod. I can only cast for distance with streamers, second i attempt with a dry, i spend 15mins trying to get a tailing loop knot out.

 

[greywolf]

Just curious, how far are you guys able to fly cast? I’m currently able to hit about 80 feet, and am working on becoming able to cast a full 90 ft wf line.

I can cast the whole fly line if on a pond or lake but for 99% of eastern fly fishing that is not a necessary skill. Much better to be able to hit a small target and control the leader / line at 20 yards to be successful for most Eastern fishing.

 

[bringthepain]

Exactly why I probably cast further than I need to when others aren't around. I'm just having fun. This is still supposed to be fun right?

Heck yeah man, thats what its all about. And being able to cast far is fun (i heard, haha)!!

 

[JimKennedy]

Lots of good stuff in this thread.

Make sure you can set the hook on a long cast. It’s great to lay down a feather soft cast, see trout sip your fly and lift the rod to start the fight.

But super frustrating to pinch the fish only to see it flip and dart off because the rod just didn’t have the back muscles pull all that line snug.

Like has been mentioned before, being stealthy and getting close is my preference.

But, when no one’s looking, I like to try to cast the whole line plus backing, just because it’s fun.

 

[dudemanspecial]

At about 50 feet my accuracy starts to break down. I am pretty happy with my ability to cast up to that distance, and I don't fish anywhere that I need to cast further than 40 feet.

Typically fishing a 8'5 to 9' 5w with a double taper line.

 

[krayfish2]

Cast for show, mend for dough, i like that, well said!!

It took me 2 years of yelling 'mend!' to get your attention and all I needed was a catchy saying?

 

[krayfish2]

At about 50 feet my accuracy starts to break down. I am pretty happy with my ability to cast up to that distance, and I don't fish anywhere that I need to cast further than 40 feet.

Typically fishing a 8'5 to 9' 5w with a double taper line.

Do you or have you ever been anchored when a random feeder starts going to town and said "that fish is too far"? Of course you have. Do you still take a shot? I've taken some ridiculous shots over the years 🤣. I'm not worried about catching the fish as much as I'm curious if I can feed 40' of backing out the top an still get an eat. The hookset requires 2 steps and a huge strip 😂 .

That's a time killer when you have caught enough or aren't catching any. 2-3 times a year, we'll see who can hook one farthest away. Landing percentage is single digits but still fun to try.

 

[krayfish2]

I concern myself with reading the water more than casting distance. I've seen guys wading up to their chest on the Delaware, when a half hour before they arrived, a large fish was working where they were standing. If you are in over your thighs, you are standing where the fish would be holding.

100%. I used to creep the banks behind guys that have walked out up to their ribs and catch fish behind them within feet of the bank. 😁

 

[sandflyx]

with the big rod, 14' 10wt ive done 150 feet. with my 6'6" 2 wt 80 feet.

 

[jifigz]

But super frustrating to pinch the fish only to see it flip and dart off because the rod just didn’t have the back muscles pull all that line snug.

Been there, done that with one of the largest wild browns I've ever seen. It was heartbreaking.

 

[bringthepain]

It took me 2 years of yelling 'mend!' to get your attention and all I needed was a catchy saying?

I'm not that bright it usually takes me a while to catch on!

 

[tomgamber]

Heck yeah man, thats what its all about. And being able to cast far is fun (i heard, haha)!!

its why grown men still skip rocks and throw snowballs at a tree.