Northwest Fishing Reports

I wuld like to know your opinion what would be the satysfying casting distance for fly fishing. Rod and line: 9 ft, 8 wt, line 8wt WF. flyies option 1 very small, lets say 16, and option second no 2 wet conehead. I know waht is world record, i am asking how much average but good angler should cast.

I personally don't worry about distance in a cast. I concentrate on accuracy. IMO, distance is only important when you are fishing a river in waders. On a lake, you can move in closer with the boat or float tube. The longer the cast, the accuracy drops.
If you want to increase your distance, work on using a double haul cast. That will increase the line speed.

If it's distance you are wanting, you must practice for accuracy first. When you can consistently place a fly in a 6 ft ring then close it to a 24in ring and start moving it out from 30 ft then 40...50,,etc. Distance will make a big difference in the type of line you are using and the type of rod. A spey rod with a shooting line will out distance even if you are a novice fisherman against a pro using a 7' 4 wt. I never thought that distance was important, it will come with practice. First is accuracy then practice...practice...practice. The distance will come. If you are throwing a base ball for distance it would be nice to be able to have it go where you want. It doesn't make any difference how long you can cast. The more you practice your technique the better you will get... I suppose you should be able to send out a fly 40 yards with a good 8wt. An average fly fisherman only casts I'd guess 50 to 70 feet with any kind of accuracy. If you can cast an 8wt out 75ft, then you are doing darn good. Just go to a local park or school and see how far you can send it. Use a piece of yarn about a foot long on the tip or cut the barb and tip off an old fly and cast on a grassy field. When you get done strip off the line and wash it before putting the reel away and wash the rod. You don't want any junk on your stuff. or stuff on your junk! LOL!

Here is a couple of websites that will interest you.... http://www.scottmackenziespeycaster.com/ Scott is a national champion fly caster and has an unusual technique that he teaches. You might order his DVD. This one is a real good site for you... http://www.letsflyfish.com/index.shtml This will answer any question you might haveabout distance and types of casts.

Good luck to you, Steve

I made a marking on my fly line at 37 feet and 47 feet, and I practiced on the water. I had an 11 feet leader and a no. 6 bead wully bagger and a small strike indicator. I was able to cast 47 feet of fly line, so I sent my fly to about 50 feet. This was my second time on the water, first time after I read a book which gave me helpful information how to cast.
I have one more question. What kind of flies should I consider as the upper weight limit for 8 wt fly rod?

Distance is achieved with good timing. The more that you can load the rod, the more distance that you will get. Do you know how to double haul? If not, Google it on the net. A good timed double haul will get you another 20+ feet. The only time that max distance is really needed is if you're fishing from the beach in saltwater. In freshwater accuracy and presentation are way more important than raw distance. Your rod/line will tell you when the fly is too heavy as your cast will dump and you'll get a short cast and no distance, if you don't hook yourself in the ear as the fly whizzes by your head. An 8 wt, with good casting technique, should efficiently cast flies up to 1/0 hook size. If you try to cast 5" bunny strip steelhead leech patterns its not going to be pretty. If you want to toss the big, heavy, uglies you need to move up to a 2 hand switch or spey rod.

I fish the beaches here on Puget Sound in the winter months hunting SRC's. One does better with a 45-50' cast and then allowing it to swing into shore. I use a single handed 5 or 7 wt with floating line. I have found it is difficult to turn over the heaver flies even using a 1x leader. Clouser and similar flies are difficult for me to cast even though they may be an effective fly. Hauling is a technique I am still trying to master.

Mike

practice, practice, practice you get better as you get more and more accurate