Do You Cast Up Stream When Fly Fishing?

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Fly fishing, a beloved activity with a rich history spanning centuries, entails using a delicate rod and reel to catch fish. This beloved pastime is primarily practiced in streams, and while it can be enjoyed by individuals of all expertise levels, there are certain methods that can increase your chances of success. One such technique is casting upstream, which can effectively attract more fish to your lure or bait.

What Does Casting Upstream Mean?

Casting upstream is when you cast your line in the direction opposite from the current or flow of the stream. This technique allows you to present your lure or bait to any fish that may be hiding in the current or behind objects like rocks and logs. Casting upstream also has the benefit of allowing you to keep your line away from areas where obstacles like tree branches could interfere with your presentation.

Why Is Casting Upstream Beneficial?

Casting upstream is beneficial for a few reasons. First, it allows you to present your lure or bait more effectively as it drifts down the stream while staying away from potential snags and obstacles.

Additionally, casting upstream will help you cover more water as your fly will move further downstream than if you were casting with the current. This technique also helps to reduce line drag which can cause unnatural movement in the water’s surface that can alert fish to its presence.

How Do You Cast Upstream?

When casting upstream, it’s important to remember that you want your casts to be short and accurate so they don’t spook any nearby fish. To do this, first find an area with deeper water near where you are standing then make sure you have enough line out so that when your fly hits the water it will move downstream with the current.

When ready, cast up and across the stream at a 45-degree angle so that as soon as your fly hits the water it begins moving downstream towards deeper water. Make sure not to stop at any point during this process as this could create an unnatural ripple on the surface of the water which could scare away any nearby fish.

Conclusion:
Do You Cast Up Stream When Fly Fishing? The answer is yes!

Casting upstream is an effective technique used by many experienced anglers because it allows them to present their lures or baits more effectively while covering more water without creating unnatural ripples on its surface which can alert fish of its presence. With some practice, anyone can learn how to cast upstream for improved success when fly fishing in streams!

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Lindsay Collins