The
side cast requires the same techniques as the
normal over the shoulder cast. You must use a power stroke between 11-1
or 10-1 on the casting clock but in the horizontal plane rather than
vertical.
Start at 1 o'clock with fly in the hand and flick it forward stopping
at 10 and waiting for the line to straighten before beginning the back
cast. Repeat this, each forward cast letting out a little more line
until you are ready to present the fly to the fish.
Most times the rod will be almost parallel to the water when trying to
get under low hanging branches although the angle could be just about
anything between 45 Degrees and flat parallel with the water. This all
depends on the situation.
Practice by finding a tree at home and without a fly, try to false cast
and keep the line traveling in the gap between ground and branches. A
perfect place to practice is standing in the yard with rod tip under
the roof of the verandah or even under the eves. Practice until it is
second nature. You will catch a lot more fish by learning this cast
than perhaps
any other on local waters.
The Side Cast allows you access to those fish that others just wont try
for and just walk past. Most people look at a river and walk by large
sections because they see them too hard. Indeed you may be one of those
people. But it is in that very water that the better fish are to be
found. Because it is difficult to fish the fish are not often caught
even by those who can cast well but you stand a better chance in these
spots of hooking a good trout.
Casting this way looks hard and can be difficult to grasp initially,
but if you understand that it is just the same casting stroke only
tipped over on its side, you will find it easier than you think.
Practice by finding an overhanging bush or tree branch or even the
verandah on your house. The most common location is under the old
clothes hoist!. Sustain a
series of false casts in the gap until it becomes no effort. Speed the
loop up, slow it down. Get comfortable with it at home.
Once on the water you will lose flies. You will cobble up leaders and
mess up fish. But every so often you will make a perfect cast where
only a single presentation is possible and a good brown will glide up
and take your fly! A fish in these spots is worth ten rising in the
main bubble line in an open pool!