Coping With Tailwinds and Crosswinds
No matter which particular cast you choose to use, or the angle and speed at which you execute it, sound casting mechanics are of utmost importance in dealing with the wind.
By John Juracek
In my article, Casting Into The Wind, I discuss the importance of good casting fundamentals and higher line speed to deal with headwinds. With those elements in place, even strong headwinds can be effectively handled.
But what about times when the wind emanates from other quarters? How do we counter the effects of strong sidewinds, or tailwinds? Here are a few strategies.
Tailwind: Straightening out the backcast is the chief concern when confronted with a tailwind–it’s just plain difficult to make a good forward cast if your backcast doesn’t straighten out first. Much of the forward stroke gets used up simply removing slack from the backcast, and by the time the line does start moving forward there isn’t enough stroke length left to make a successful cast.
This situation often ends with the line collapsing in a heap in front of you or, worse, hooking yourself in the backside. Increasing the line speed of the backcast–accomplished by making a faster stroke of the correct length and/or hauling–will ensure your line straightens out behind you. Then the forward cast should come off with no problem.
For especially vicious tailwinds, it’s often easier (and safer) to use a roll cast or a modified spey cast, dispensing with a backcast altogether. Angling the rod away from your body on your rod arm side adds a degree of safety to whatever cast you choose.
Off-Shoulder Crosswind: The line and fly present no danger in this scenario, since they’re being blown away from your head and body. In light wind, simply speeding up your stroke is all that’s called for. As the wind blows harder, more line speed is required; adding a haul to your stroke is often the easiest way to achieve it.
Angling the rod off to the side (to whatever degree you like) can reduce the line profile that the wind has to work against. Regardless of the angle you hold your rod at, to maintain accuracy it’s important to keep the rod in one plane during the forward stroke.
On-Shoulder Crosswind: Tilting the rod away from yourself–on your rod arm side–is the first and easiest step to keeping both line and fly from endangering you in an on-shoulder wind. This tactic works well in light to moderate winds. As the wind increases, tilt the rod even lower to the side. In especially strong winds, tilting the rod to the rod arm side may not be enough to keep the line from colliding with your head, body or your rod. At this point, you can incorporate a cast variously referred to as “Belgian,” “Oval,” “Elliptical,” “Constant Motion,” “Continuous Tension;” the list goes on. (Our sport is nothing if not expert at taking something and renaming it.)
Regardless of the name, this cast is one in which the backcast and forward cast are completed in different planes. The backcast is made with the rod angled low to the rod arm side, often horizontal, just above the water. A speedy stroke here helps to keep the line away from you. As the backcast unrolls, the rod is swept smoothly into the vertical plane. The forward stroke is made with the rod held vertical and high enough so that the line and fly clear your head. (If you prefer, you can angle the rod over your head to the off-shoulder side. This is even safer than keeping the rod vertical, though distance and accuracy can be harder to achieve.)
Another option for a strong on-shoulder wind is to simply cast across your body, keeping the line and fly on the downwind side of your body. Maintaining accuracy and distance with this technique can be a challenge without previous practice. It’s also possible to face away from your target and deliver the fly on your backcast, thus keeping the line/fly on the downwind side of your body. This method is frequently seen in saltwater fishing. Though difficult to master, for those willing to put in the practice, it works. (By far the best solution of all is to simply learn how to cast with your off hand; with proper instruction it’s not that difficult.)
No matter which particular cast you choose to use, or the angle and speed at which you execute it, sound casting mechanics are of utmost importance in dealing with the wind. No cast is of any value if our mechanics don’t allow us to employ it.
John Juracek is a fly fisherman, writer and photographer from West Yellowstone, Montana. For twenty-some years he was a partner at Blue Ribbon Flies, a local fly shop, and is currently the head casting instructor at the School of Trout and Anglers Academy. His writing credits include Yellowstone: Photographs of an Angling Landscape, Fly Patterns of Yellowstone, Fishing Yellowstone Hatches and Fly Patterns of Yellowstone, Volume Two.
He is considered one of the sport’s expert fly casters and instructors and offers casting lessons for $100/hour at jjuracek@gmail.com or (406) 640-2828.