Photo by Louis Cahill
Whether in saltwater or fresh, most experienced casters employ the double haul.
It’s possibly the best technique for creating line speed and generally energizing your line during the cast. It’s also a great way to create casting problems when done incorrectly.
One of the fundamentals of the double haul that commonly causes problems is the ratio of the haul to the line being carried by the caster. On a short cast where you may only carry thirty or forty feet of line, the length of your haul, that is the amount of line you pull through the guides with your line hand, may only be a couple of feet. On a cast of seventy or eighty feet be prepared to spread your wings.
Tall casters with long arm spans hold a decided advantage here. When it comes to casting the whole line it’s good to be well over six feet but the truth is that most of us don’t take advantage of the reach we have. If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, this photo should make my point.
My friend Joel Dickey has a powerful and athletic double haul. Better than mine, even though I’m 6’4″ to his 5’9″ but he really maximizes his reach and he gets a lot of power from it. Next time you’re casting a long line take a mental snapshot, or have a friend take an actual snapshot. Then ask yourself, “how’s my double haul?”
Louis Cahill Gink & Gasoline www.ginkandgasoline.com hookups@ginkandgasoline.com Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter!
Cool shot, really like how you can see the flex in the rod!
Thanks Ryan.
I think timing is a bigger issue for most folks, because most casts are not 80′, especially for those who are still perfecting the technique. Likewise the extra “oomph” on a double haul drop magnifies tailing loops.
Don’t misunderstand my point. It’s not the extra oomph, it’s the length of the haul. How much line is being pulled thru the guides.
No doubt, timing is critical. Watch this video. Joel shows you a drill that will help your timing.
http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/fly-fishing-photography/the-need-for-speed-line-speed-that-is/
Unfortunately many of the location I fish here in the north east you do not get the area to practice such skills. Sounds like great advise and hopefully some day I’ll be able to get some place to employee it. Thanks for the tips.
I hope it helps Trap. Get your salt on!
Go to an open area of your local park and practice on the grass.
get your salt on….for a future article, could you give the secret of casting salt water heavy hooks with – fish skulls? for me it was chuck and duck not line speed….
Wear a helmet!
For that kind of math I like a longer slower rod and open up your loop. If your trying to get deep in the salt try a sinking line rather than a heavy fly. It’s an easier setup to cast.
also – check out the website – i’m featuring you guys because you’ve got a great site and newsletter…
Thanks!
Bill,
Thank you very much for spreading the word about Gink and Gasoline.
Kent
I’m not sure about the Double Haul but those pink sandles are FanTasTIC!!
Well, that’s the keys.
BTW, those aren’t sandals. Those are tan lines on his feet. He’s bare foot. LOL!
Don’t forget to lengthen your stroke too!
Short cast, short stroke
Long cast, long stroke