1 – Rod Tip Path – The Fly Line will always follow the path of the rod tip!! – It is important as it controls Loop Shape (Open / Narrow Loop) along with providing positive tracking for accurate casting. In most cases a narrow loop is more desirable, A narrow loop is more aerodynamically efficient than a large open loop. 

POWER APPLICATION – Power should be applied at the appropriate time during the stroke. – Smooth acceleration to a stop. – Lefty Kreh describes it as “start slow finish fast” – Just enough power to allow the fly to nicely turn over. No More, No Less 

STROKE – The stroke is variable to the amount of line past the rod tip. The stroke is the distance that your hand moves during the casting cycle – SHORT LINE – SHORT STROKE – LONG LINE – LONG STROKE Casting Arc – The casting arc is variable to the amount of line part the rod tip. The casting arc …

TIMING – It is essential in overhead casting to allow the backwards loop to turnover fully before executing the forward cast to ensure tension throughout. – Waiting too long will result in gravity and the line becoming slack. – Casting too soon there will be no tension to bend the rod against and will result in a round crack or …

SLACK LINE / TENSION – Slack line should be kept to an absolute minimum during the casting cycle – The rod should always be under tension at all times throughout the cast. Start with the rod tip down at the water, and retrieve any slack line until you have tension before beginning the casting stroke.

An introduction to Bill Gammels 5 Essentials of Fly casting, presented by FFF Master Casting Instructor, Carl McNeil A brief stynopsis of why the 5 essentials in fly casting are important! We have found that those beginners that pick up the art of fly casting are those that develop an understanding of the techniques and mechanics quickly. If you can …

The 5 essentials are key components in fly casting mechanics, they are relevant to both single handed casting and spey casting and are there to help you understand mechanics and more importantly finding faults and cures. All casting faults with relate to one or often more of the 5 essentials. Our best advice is to find the fault with the …

The 5 essentials are key components in fly casting mechanics, they are relevant to both single handed casting and spey casting and are there to help you understand mechanics and more importantly finding faults and cures. All casting faults with relate to one or often more of the 5 essentials. Our best advice is to find the fault with the …