The Tampa Bay Times
Starting your fly fishing day with calm conditions can change quickly this time of year. Wind can be a help or hindrance. Perfect calm makes it easier to see fish, but they are very spooky, making long casts necessary. A little ripple on the surface, from the wind, hinders our ability to see fish, but they are more relaxed, meaning we can get closer. A nine-foot fly rod, the ideal length for most of our fishing should keep the fly, and hook, at least that far away from you. If the wind is blowing into your non-casting side, there is only a problem with casting accuracy. Wind into your casting side can be a problem easily corrected by casting horizontally and close to the water, giving the wind little chance to affect it. A very tight loop in your line created by having the rod tip travel in a straight line path will be almost unaffected by the wind. A large loop will be a disaster especially if thrown high. Strong wind into your casting side can be problematic, easily corrected by casting on your line-hand side using either a cast with your arm across your body, or tilting your body away from the wind and, “Brushing your hair,” with your casting hand as you have the rod tip travel on your leeward side. Learning to cast with either hand is ideal.
Fly fisherman and casting instructor Pat Damico charters Fly Guy in lower Tampa Bay and can be reached at captpatdamico.com and (727) 504-8649.
- Capiains Corner. Damico - December 26, 2023
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