Fly casting a double handed or spey rod, overhead cast
- the basics

Starting the cast

Start with the line straight to the rod top. The left hand is positioned below the right arm, slightly above the waist. Right arm is straight from the shoulder to the rod handle. Line is held behind the second finger of the right hand. During the cast, each hand does the same amount of work, pushing and pulling in opposition to each other. Correct use of the left hand is very important.

Accelerate and make the stop

Lift and accelerate the rod smoothly backwards with the right hand, simultaneously pushing the left hand forward to flex the rod. During this movement the the right arm rises and the right hand moves up towards the right ear. Maximum thrust is applied between 1030 and 1230 positions and then the rod is stopped.

Drifting back until the line tightens

The rod is allowed to drift to 1400 or slightly further whilst the line is extending behind. Once fully extended behind, the line will tension against the rod tip and this should be felt by the angler waiting for the moment to commence the forward cast.

Accelerate and make a stop before 10.00

To make the forward cast, push the right hand forward and, simultaneously, pull the left hand in towards the body bringing the rod butt up below the arm so that the handle is lying along the same plane as the fully extended right arm. Stop the rod movement at 1000 and the line will extend forward. Be careful not to jerk the forward stroke, every casting stroke is a smooth acceleration followed by a stop.

If you would like to know the secrets of overhead casting and the whole family of similar casts, contact me to arrange fly fishing instruction or attend one of my fly fishing courses.