I LOVE STEELHEAD!

ok back to casting.

2 common issues casters have either spey or overhead casting are tempo/acceleration and alignment-both are important and at times interconnected.

Many things need to be aligned to get a efficient cast.

The anchor-both in placement and in water anchor casts getting the leader/tip and fly turned and in plane with the forward and back cast.

Single spey and Snake roll anchors should also be on plane with forward/back cast.

The D/V loop or back cast-obviously directly opposite of forward cast.

In double and circle/snap T casts there is even the alignment of the sweep into the D/V loop.

And now we go to tempo and acceleration-I have three rules for acceleration.

1-the slower you start accelerating the easier it is to be smooth and in control.

2-continue to accelerate until alignment is achieved.-the moment you stop accelerating/applying force the rod starts to unbend-it's making a cast whether you ready or not.

This is a aspect of acceleration that often effects alignment

3-accelerate in as straight of plane as possible when trying to load/bend rod.

A change off of plane will reduce any force you apply to rod-this can is useful at times as in the up stream sweep in the double spey and when forming a D loop.

This also effects alignment.

These are things to think about when working on your cast.