Some of my good friends and colleagues will be joining me with their own contributions on this site
including fellow GAIA APGAI and FFF Instructor Paddy McDonnell.
Also Mr. Style himself, the renowned fly-caster Andrew Toft of Scotland, a GAIA APGAI
and FFF Instructor as well as a member of the Carron casting team.
Declan Tuffy of Galway, well known fly tier of fully dressed salmon flies and many
other friends that I have met over the years through fly-casting and game angling including
some FFF Instructors from mainland Europe whom it is my great good pleasure to know.
You are very welcome to my web site holding pages. This site will be developed and added to over time. The site is about the art of fly-casting with both single and double-handed rods, and fly-casting Instruction.
Fly-casting with both single and double-handed rods is a passion of mine and something that I have pursued diligently over my lifetime. It is something that involved making the necessary pilgrimages to import knowledge via formal training from those that really know, most especially from the Scots.
I'm sure most people have seen the film “A river runs through it.” In the book by Norman Maclean, the Maclean boys' father (John Norman Maclean) believed that anybody who did not know how to fish (fly cast), should not be allowed to disgrace a fish by catching it. He also considered that someone picking up a fly rod who never used one before proved factually and theologically that man by nature was a damned mess, (now he definitely has a point there). That he had fallen from a state of grace and only by picking up God's rhythms were we able to regain power and beauty. That all good things come by grace and grace comes by art, and art does not come easy.
Fly-casting is still considered a graceful art form by many, as it obviously was to Norman Maclean's Father. Although we cast simply to fish, we may also find that to cast well becomes a great joy in itself. We find that achieving greater control is a rewarding and enjoyable experience, and one that also greatly enhances our fly fishing capability.
continued below
Fly-casting is mainly about unrolling the fly line and leader to present the fly.
The fly line is a flexible weight and it is the weight cast by the rod and the weight that loads the rod (deflects it into a curve). The leader and fly are simply towed along by the fly line.
Fly-casting is about utilising the energy and leverage that is able to be generated by the flexible nature of a fly rod combined with arm and body movements, to create the line momentum and line speed that, (when controlled and directed), will unroll or project the fly line in a narrow, aerodynamically efficient loop.
The loop of line should unroll out fully without crossing over itself or tangling, and without skewing off to one side, or collapsing into squiggles of slack line. The line and leader should be straight and the fly should land furthest away from the angler, (excepting some specialised presentation casts). When this occurs it is called fly turnover.
The line will create a lot of air resistance if the unrolling loop is not kept reasonably narrow.
In two words fly-casting is about 'loop morphology.'
Fly-casting is a personal skill. It is about you personally gaining enough understanding and control over the rod and line, and also how you use your body, so that you may cast effectively while using economy of effort.
At the beginning learning enough basic fly-casting skills to function, to become a functional fly angler, is enough to concentrate on. When that initial mystery or struggle of understanding how the rod and line works best is removed, and a basic overhead or Spey casting technique has been achieved, it is indeed rewarding. Once a level of control is attained then fly fishing and casting is much more enjoyable.
Paradoxically the basic technique is everything. While fly-casting can progressively be taken to whatever level of proficiency you require over time, it is simply correct basic principles and technique taken further. The basic technique used at a functional fishing level however is a high enough level of proficiency for many people and it will serve them very well for their fishing life. It is also the necessary building block or foundation for any further development.
The Federation of Fly Fishers (F.F.F.)
Principles and Terminology
If a fly-caster wishes to improve their understanding of fly-casting, and be better able to analyse and fine tune their own or a friends casting ability. Or if one wishes to become an Instructor, then it is most useful to have an understanding of fly-casting based upon the American FFF (Federation of Fly Fishers) system of analysis. This means learning some of the American FFF organisation's use of terminology.
Personally I believe the FFF five essentials / principles to be one of the best pieces of writing on fly-casting instruction that one could come across, most especially the principle of the rod tip moving in a straight line path, (in both the vertical and horizontal planes). If that is adhered to then practically everything else must fall into place.
Principles and Terminology
If a fly-caster wishes to improve their understanding of fly-casting, and be better able to analyse and fine tune their own or a friends casting ability. Or if one wishes to become an Instructor, then it is most useful to have an understanding of fly-casting based upon the American FFF (Federation of Fly Fishers) system of analysis. This means learning some of the American FFF organisation's use of terminology.
Personally I believe the FFF five essentials / principles to be one of the best pieces of writing on fly-casting instruction that one could come across, most especially the principle of the rod tip moving in a straight line path, (in both the vertical and horizontal planes). If that is adhered to then practically everything else must fall into place.
Continued from above
Fly-casting is a major interest worldwide, there are a lot of different methods and styles. However when it becomes removed from a practical fishing application or practical fishing outfits it ceases to interest me personally, though there are aficionados of those other branches of the sport.
My own interest is in entirely in casting with economy of effort and in control over loop morphology using normal fly fishing gear, and for practical fishing. In knowing fully what the phrase 'allowing the rod to do the work' really means from understanding the inherent properties and capabilities of the rod blank. Knowing how to combine pure leverage with a smooth acceleration. Knowing how to create smooth, steady, relaxed, fluent and efficient fly-casting while retaining control over trajectory, directional control and fly turnover control. Knowing the effects of compound leverage, the different classes of leverage, and the effect of the fulcrum pivot when combined with other rod loading movements. Finding out how less is actually more. Understanding ergonomically efficient use of the body. Fine tuning technique from feeling, and from watching the results of adjustments on loop morphology. When Spey casting, knowing how to allow the rod blank to unload itself to perfectly place a line on the sweep time after time.
I am interested in all those aspects of fly-casting and in the teaching of fly-casting. Personally I teach through an exercise system. I believe from long experience that specific targeted exercises are certainly the most efficient way for an individual to make real progress quickly and to build the right muscle memories. The exercise system is also useful for the correcting of any faults, especially those that have become a muscle memory. Exercises target specific areas of technique. Although I have been fly-casting most of my life I am still learning, still finding subtlety within subtlety, often learning through importing knowledge and teaching methodology from other casters and Instructors, many of whom I am greatly indebted to, not the least of which is Ruairi Costello and other members of the Carron Casting team such as James Chalmers and Andrew Toft. Also the great American Spey caster and thorough gentleman Al Buhr.
Some will say that casting doesn't matter, that fishing matters. The fact is that both matter and invariably I find that people prepared to put the time and effort into improving their casting will have put the same thought, time and effort into their fishing. Fluency with fly-casting matters for very many reasons, mainly in preventing any struggle with presentation when fishing even at short and medium ranges. If we are doing something like nymph fishing at short range then of course fly-casting may not matter a lot, however I have seen enough occasions in both trout and salmon angling where the control over fly-casting and presentation of the fly was absolutely the key element contributing to success. Most particularly when salmon angling the ability to turn the fly over, including into an oncoming wind is of paramount importance, as is coping with adverse winds in general. From personal experience I caught the largest spring salmon in my life very shortly after making one of the longest casts I have ever made while salmon fishing, and the situation absolutely demanded it. The great Peter Anderson once commented on the issue that he had often seen people that could cast a longer line catching salmon close in, but that he hadn't seen many people that could only cast a shorter line catching the fish lying further out.
However as a lifelong salmon angler I understand fully that the fly must cross a salmon at the most suitable angle and fly water speed for the circumstances. Usually dropping back somewhat as it crosses the flow. Distance casting is not ever used to destroy the optimum angle of presentation when fishing but to use that optimum angle at a greater range when necessary. I won't miss fish through casting too far when it is not necessary such as during times of high water, I will fish the near range properly at the right angles and short distance.
If you are ever dry buzzer fishing on a late evening calm on one of the great western Loughs and have stalked some feeding fish, truly large wild fish, you will know you have one good chance, your first presentation. You must control fly turnover and you know that the further away you can keep the boat the better. There is then less chance of spooking the feeding fish and it really doesn't take a lot to spook a large wild brown trout in the calm. One time long ago I witnessed Brendan Begley, (one of Ireland's best casters and my first Instructor in Peter Anderson style casting), with the finest bag of wild brown trout I have ever seen, all taken on dry buzzer on Lough Mask on a calm evening. Six fish from just under 3lb to 6.75 lbs, all caught mainly because of superb casting ability.
This site is about fly-casting and fly-casting Instruction, the people on it are qualified fly-casting Instructors or Angling Guides advertising their services. Although naturally everyone has their own individual style, we all use the same basic style of casting that has its roots in the teachings of the great Scottish caster Peter Anderson. This is the style and system that was used to successfully take any qualifications we hold, and to successfully put others through examinations.
I will also put on excerpts from past articles I had published in the Irish angling press.
I have found that there are quite a few people confused at the beginning of the double-handed learning curve about all the different types of cast used with a double-handed rod. Some may feel a little daunted or perplexed by it all. Why are there so many different types of cast? What are the Snap T's / C's, the Perry Pokes? the Modern Straight line Single Spey? Traditional In Swing Single Spey? Forward Spey? Double Speys and Snake Rolls? What is original Underhand casting or modern Scandi Spey style with shooting heads?
There is absolutely no need to become confused by any of it at all - and why is that? Well due to the fact that every Spey cast, or any of the alternative replacement casts for any Spey cast, all use a similar common movement to form a correct D or V loop (one with a perfectly straight anchor / water contact), and of course a similar final delivery / forward cast. They are, more or less, all the very same cast at the end part of the cast and the D or V loop is formed in the practically the same way on every cast, no matter which one is being used. Therefore, once you have the D or V loop forming technique under your control, then you have the most critical part of all of the Spey casts and any of the replacement casts for a Spey cast more or less learned. The main difference from cast to cast will only be the initial line placing move used before you form the D loop and make the final delivery.
Putting a few simple moves together that allow for a couple of essential principles will soon ensure the D or V loop forming technique is perfected. It is learned mainly through both the incline exercise (airborne anchor) and the climbing curve exercise (waterborne anchor). The incline exercise used in the teaching of Fulcrum Fly-casting is simply invaluable as a learning tool for Spey casting and for the understanding of how a double-handed rod works.
The dearest place you can learn Spey casting or practice the very basics of forming a D loop is in places like Russia, Iceland or any expensive beat in the U.K. or Ireland. You should ensure that you have learned at least the basics before you are fishing on good venues so as not to waste valuable fishing time or opportunities. You should also ensure that you learn Spey casting standing in water.
First I would point out that the word 'Fulcrum' is simply a generic term used in physics to describe a pivotal point. Where the fulcrum is placed on a lever, along with effort and load also defines the different types of leverage, (see bottom of page Terminology 1 - under Fly-casting heading). All casting styles use fulcrums, it is part of the substance of fly-casting as the Americans say. All other casting styles make use of fulcrums to cast and it is nothing unique to this style of casting bearing the name as the title for the style. it would be impossible to cast in any style without using the rod as a lever and fulcrums to create the two main classes of leverage used in Fly-casting.
The reason the Fulcrum name was given to this particular style of fly -casting, one with its own particular combination of characteristics, is that it just happened that way over the years when it was referred to by Andrew Toft, myself and others who used the style. Perhaps because fulcrum is a shorter, handy word to use and mainly because of the particular emphasis on the use of a fulcrum point made along the rod butt is a fundamental core or basis around which all the rest of technique is built in this style. In double-handed casting it is a bottom hand dominated style.
Fulcrum was a word used extensively in the teachings of Peter Anderson to precisely relate his techniques with both single and double-handed rods, the original techniques on which this Fulcrum Fly-casting style is based. He related many other things as well - in particular a straight line incline, continuous motion and economy of effort, I guess Fulcrum is shorter. If you were taught by Peter Anderson, it was extremely important to understand the various forms of leverage and exactly when, where and how they were used. Peter Anderson was more fussy than most and thankfully precision was not an option. It was therefore good training, the best. The word fulcrum was not ever used lightly or casually by him or people trained by him, its use and which type fulcrum was being used where and when was expected to be understood very specifically. As well as how it is all combined with everything else that is going on.
The style developed and incorporated other things as progression or developments occurred in tackle and techniques, and the style borrowed some elements of longer stroke competition casting techniques used by the Carron team casters. In this practical fishing casting style however, the greatest emphasis is still on the use of the fulcrum along the rod butt to create class one leverage at a certain time during a cast, therefore generating the maximum rod loading with the least amount of effort, and so use the rod most efficiently. All the rest of the technique is based on and structured around this core element of rod loading. Full reliance is placed on this technique used correctly while maintaining other essential elements of a cast. It is combined with of course class three leverage, straight lines, continuous motion, ergonomically efficient application of leverage and the steady, smooth, compound, simultaneous effect of the overall or net movements made. Many of the other movements in double-handed casting will also be based around the other definition of Fulcrum, a cantilever anchored on the other end.
Smoothness and steadiness, correct loop morphology, line tautness and full control in a relaxed, efficient and compact manner is the result of this style whether using single or double handed rods.
Fulcrum - the point or support upon which a lever pivots. The point around which a lever rotates. A prop, support, or fixed point on which a lever moves, i.e. about which rotation can take place.
It is the point beyond which a cantilever extends into space, its other end anchored on the opposite side of the fulcrum.
A few Instructors, including myself, use and teach this economy of effort style of fly-casting. It is a complete system for practical fishing casting with either single or double-handed rods. It is a system with a logical reason for every aspect of technique ultimately giving the angler full control with economy of effort. It is a style that relies entirely on understanding the fundamental principles of how a rod works, and correctly utilising the inherent properties a rod has. The style is taught through an exercise system. It is used for both single and double-handed rods, and for Overhead or Spey casting techniques and is based on the requirements for practical fishing.
What is control? The main thing being controlled is exactly how the rod is loading and unloading. Exactly how the rod is directed and controlled through using exacting precision as to how, where and when the position and angle change of the rod is made, and how the body is used. This precision and understanding is important for economy of effort and control. When the body, and compound movements and leverage are used correctly to manipulate the rod, it will allow full control of fly turnover, control of loop shape, directional control, trajectory control, control of line height behind, control over power application, over making an acceleration and importantly the overall tempo. Control over the stroke length, wrist movements, overall elevation, rod tracking and the rod tip paths and all planes used. The rod tip path is very critical.
Its really important to realise that we can only control the rod when we can fully control our own motion and body. I must have full control over how I apply leverage in order to control the rod properly. If I cannot have command over my own actions, such as making a smooth acceleration instead of making an uncontrolled thump or a tug, then I cannot control a rod properly. Fly-casting is about self control and self discipline as much as anything else.
Particular attention is paid to the specific way the rod is loading and unloading
in Fulcrum Fly-casting style.
Some of the most quintessential elements involved in rod loading are perfectly
defined and explained on page thirteen of American Instructor Al Buhr's book
on two handed fly-casting, in particular the casting stroke fundamentals section,
the description relating to figure 1. This same principles also apply to
single-handed rod casting.
Several practical elements or characteristics combined define Fulcrum fly-casting style.
The style emphasises economy of effort. Economy of effort is always an overriding principle or a main concern. Economy of effort relies on first really understanding a rod's own inherent loading and unloading capabilities. The inherent capability, properties and attributes of the rod are then able to be better utilised to ensure economy of effort in casting. This understanding is then combined with ergonomically correct, and therefore effective and efficient use of the body when manipulating the rod and applying leverage.
In overhead casting with single or double-handed rods, the use of a straight line Incline to the correct elevation and continuous motion are two main elements of the style. Significantly line height management behind is one element of overhead fly-casting deliberately and effectually controlled in this style. Initially the incline and continuous motion combination ensures that the rod tip is always rising as it turns over behind, this is a critical aspect of maintaining correct trajectory and loop morphology (without any compensating through speeding up). The continuous motion movement continuing along the incline after the angle change then also ensures that line height behind is maintained. It does this through counteracting the unwanted effect of sag from gravity acting on the bottom leg of the loop of unrolling fly line. This is extremely important in practical fishing cutting out the nuisance value involved in the fly catching in bushes or scrub behind, or damaging / breaking hooks off rocks or hitting the water behind while wading or when dry fly fishing from a boat.
The straight line rising incline also defines the trajectory used on the back cast and ensures that the rod tip travels a long way in one direction on the back cast with all the energy and line momentum channelled very effectively in that one direction. The rod continues along the incline after the angle change is finished and during the normal pause time ensuring the deflection is more directed and controlled. At no time in Fulcrum fly-casting is the rod tip allowed to drop down behind during the back casting stroke when overhead casting, or on a Spey cast sweep. This is a main hallmark of the style and this simple aspect of technique contributes greatly to line control, loop shape, and to the maintaining of tautness or tension when Spey casting. An arched movement is an arch enemy. The furthest back position the rod reached on the power application of the back stroke, it rose to reach that position, including over the last few inches.
One of the ways you can learn the technique by having a friend ensure that the rod tip never drops behind, that no convex movement no matter how slight ever occurs on the back stroke of an overhead cast or on a sweep of a single or double Spey cast.
Smoothness and steadiness with line tension being maintained is important and is also derived from relying fully on the rod action and the compound effect of simultaneous loading movements blended together with no sudden tugging occurring at any time. To maintain smoothness the overall progressive acceleration is increased rather than making any sudden tugging increase. Body movement and upper body rotation in particular (turning from the ankles) is used to balance the stroke especially when Spey casting, also some weight shift and occasionally weight transfer. Body movement starts from the ankles and for efficient body movement a good stance is required. A key point is understanding how to allow the rod to unload itself to place or poke the line into position when Spey casting, and also to avoid wedge loops or any pulling down of the rod tip behind when overhead casting. Understanding the subtlety and control involved in allowing the rod to unload itself in a directed manner and relying fully on its action is the optimum way of controlling the unrolling loop and rod deflection.
When Spey casting the anchor must always be straight. Also in sequence - the fly, the leader, the front taper of the fly line, (and perhaps then a part of the front end of the belly of the line) must land in that order. The belly must never touch down first. The cleaner and straighter the anchor lands the easier the forward cast will be able to be made and the more effective and efficient it will be. A shallow exit entry angle of the part of the line forming the anchor meeting/leaving the water is also essential to avoid a skipping anchor (one that leaves the water when the pressure of the forward stroke is applied). On a Single Spey cast continuous motion from circling up behind is used, circling up ensures constant tension and the the rod tip is climbing in a curve and merging into the forward cast, and circling up also curving or pulling in, into plane, the rod sliding into plane as it circles upwards and inwards and moves forward. It must not hook in past plane. Alternatively, after circling up behind is mastered and able to be used, the caster can change to a slightly increased power application at the end of the back cast or sweep and then a hesitation as the D / V loop forms. However the caster now knows from continuous motion casting exactly the feel of what they are looking for in terms of line tautness and timing. On a standard Double Spey cast there is a pause used as the D loop forms to avoid a skipping anchor as more power application is used in the D loop forming move as the line is being drawn back and up off the water.
Another emphasis is on the importance of always making a smooth and progressive acceleration on the final delivery. Sometimes in single-handed casting with the use of thrust.
A system of exercises is used to teach the style, most notably the incline exercise for both Spey and Overhead casting with a double-handed rod, and overhead casting with a single handed rod. Also the rod 'pop' / tip casting exercise for the single handed rod.
Andrew Toft’s thoughts on Double Handed Rod Fly-Casting
Most of the energy generated during fly-casting is due to efficient leverage.
If the bottom hand is preceding the movement of the top hand, even in minimal movements, we are achieving the foundation of the most effective rod loading, and angular change required for tight loops and maximum efficiency in medium to longish range casting.
A two handed rod works by “Fulcrum & Leverage”, the upper hand being the point round which the rod will be levered and rotated. We are able to change the angle and reposition the fulcrum to assist in stroke length and directional motion during the casting movements, resulting in a more efficient bend in the rod over a short distance. The lower hand provides more efficient leverage when rotated and moved around the upper hand as it is further from the tip. If we were to use the top hand as our primary source of power during any accelerated movement, the lower hand would then become our pivotal point, resulting in less effective rod loading .This would then require a longer stroke and more effort. If your top hand is travelling faster than your bottom hand during the casting movements, then you are not bending the rod effectively.
Tournament Spey-casting requires a larger casting arc and maximum stroke length which allows much more time to apply force so we can get much more speed .Therefore the upper hand will extend further forward than normal casting style.
Rod Tip deflection / Counter flex
Don’t overlook the way that the rod unloads at the end of the cast.!
The ability to judge the point of maximum rod tip deflection is vital when casting with efficiency. It is very important to allow the rod tip to unbend or deflect in the same direction as the intended flight path of the loop. If the rod tip unbends excessively to the inside or below the flight path of the line, then it is counterproductive and inefficient. Power and speed application cannot be excessive and has to be in the correct place terminating in an efficient stop.
Andrew Toft
It is especially rewarding to use Fulcrum Fly-casting for fishing, also to teach it, and for me at times to see other people discover and use the techniques. Occasionally to hear what others think about it -
A quote from an article by William Van Der Vorst, Dutch FFF Master and FFF examiner and B.O.G. in Europe, called "qualifying the pause" in the FFF Loop magazine - spring 2009.
.......My friend, Robert Gillespie, FFF Master and THCI from Ireland, who has the most effective casting style I have ever seen, and demonstrator of the Fulcrum Fly Casting style at the show, was so happy and delighted to hear my explanations about this that he asked me about it in great detail.......
A quotation printed in Irish Hunting, Shooting and Fishing obtained by Irish Journalist David Dinsmore obtained from the FFF examiners, November 2004. Floyd Franke, past Chairman, Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Board of Governors speaking as spokesperson for the five certifiers involved said,
.......Robert Gillespie, with his calm quiet, retiring demeanour proved to be the biggest surprise of all. He breezed through the tests with the confidence of the professional he truly is. He deserves the distinction of being the first to pass all three certifications offered by the Federation in a single testing event. I was pleased to have been part of this "historic" event............
Robert Gillespie is one of best educated guides and teachers you can find in Ireland. His elegant casting technique has its roots in the teachings of Peter Andersen. I had the honour of travelling together with Robert to Finland in 2006 where he demonstrated Spey casting techniques at the Tampere Show. When I read the attached story about his great catch on the Royal Dee it was like being there, and I could not help wanting to share it with you.
Ole A. Bjerke
http://www.partridge-of-redditch.co.uk/stories/royal_dee.htm
