The Articulate Fly

Episode Overview
In this episode of The Butcher Shop, host Marvin Cash sits down with Mark Sedotti, inventor of the Sedotti Slammer and one of the pioneers of weight-balanced streamer design, to trace nearly 35 years of big-fly development for striped bass and bluefish. Sedotti explains why a lead keel and the right amount of absorbed water can make an oversized streamer cast further and more accurately than a small one, overturning decades of conventional wisdom that heavy flies are harder to throw.
Working from western Long Island Sound, where he first tied the Slammer to imitate adult menhaden up to 15 inches long, Sedotti walks through the evolution of his high-and-low bucktail tying method, the construction of a rectangular lead keel to stop wide-profile flies from rolling, and the concept of weight balancing that ties it all together. He also details how the Slammer found its way to Michigan's Manistee River in the early 1990s, where guide Russ Maddin nicknamed it the Screaming Jesus and helped ignite the modern big-streamer trout movement.
The conversation covers rod and line selection for casting giant flies, including Sedotti's signature Sayonara sling casting technique, along with retrieve mechanics, leader setups, and where to source materials and commercially tied Slammers. Anglers chasing striped bass, bluefish or trophy trout with oversized streamers will come away with a working framework for why some big flies cast beautifully and others simply won't turn over.
Key Takeaways
How to weight balance a streamer so it casts smoothly regardless of its size, rather than dragging through the air
Why adding water-absorbing materials like bucktail can improve a big fly's castability instead of hurting it
How to build a rectangular lead keel from lead wire to stop a wide-profile fly from rolling in the water
When to size a streamer to match adult versus immature baitfish, since selective stripers and bluefish may refuse flies shorter than the natural forage
How the Sayonara sling casting technique adds effective rod length and line speed for longer distance with a single-handed rod
Why a long leader of eight to nine feet improves fly action and strike rates when streamer fishing for trout

Techniques & Gear Covered
Sedotti's core concept is weight balancing: adding just enough weight to a streamer to counteract wind resistance and drag during the cast, which he discovered by building a rectangular lead keel out of 0.030-0.035 lead wire to prevent wide-profile flies from rolling. His high-and-low bucktail tying method, refined with input from Bob Popovics on achieving a three-dimensional bunker profile, remains consistent across pattern sizes from three and a half to over 20 inches, with synthetic yak hair, bucktail and feather substitutes used as natural saddle hackle and schlappen became harder to source. For casting, he favors a fast-action 11-weight rod paired with either integrated sinking lines, shooting heads or a floating line for shallow presentations, and retrieves with long, fast strips followed by a pause where most strikes occur.
Locations & Species
Sedotti developed the Slammer in western Long Island Sound around Greenwich, Port Chester, and Rye, New York, targeting striped bass and bluefish keyed in on schools of menhaden, or bunker, ranging from three and a half to over 15 inches depending on the season. He later carried medium-sized versions of the fly to Michigan's Manistee River, where it proved effective on trout and helped spark the region's big-streamer trout culture, as well as to Montana's Beaverhead River for trout. Today, he fishes deep structure at Montauk and Southwest Ledge on Block Island for large striped bass, working the fly 35 to 45 feet down on sinking lines.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What is weight balancing in streamer fly design, and why does it matter for castability?
Weight balancing means adding enough weight to a fly to counteract the wind resistance created by its materials as it moves through the air during a cast. Mark Sedotti found that a properly weight-balanced fly, regardless of size, will false cast smoothly with a normal loop, while an unbalanced fly either drags or develops an uncontrollable loop.
How do you build a keel to stop a wide-profile streamer from rolling?
Sedotti wraps half-inch strips of lead wire in layers of five, stacking three levels to form a rectangular, raft-like keel along the underside of the hook shank. The exact method matters less than achieving the correct total weight for that specific fly to keep it weight balanced.
Why can waterlogged flies actually cast better than dry ones?
A dry fly with the same amount of bulky material is more wind resistant and harder to turn over, while a wet fly collapses and cuts through the air more easily. Sedotti found that the added weight from absorbed water often helps counteract that wind resistance, provided the fly isn't carrying so much water and weight that it becomes overloaded.
What rod and line setup works best for casting large weight-balanced streamers?
Sedotti prefers a fast-action 11-weight rod for big saltwater patterns, paired with either an integrated sinking line, a shooting head or a floating line depending on depth and structure. His Sayonara sling casting technique adds effective rod length and increases tip speed for longer casts with a single-handed rod.
How did the Sedotti Slammer influence Michigan's big-streamer trout fishing?
In the early 1990s, Sedotti brought a medium-sized Slammer to Michigan's Manistee River, where guide Russ Maddin was stunned by how aggressively trout attacked it and nicknamed it the Screaming Jesus. That introduction is widely credited with helping launch the modern big-streamer trout movement centered around Michigan's guiding community.
Sponsors
Thanks to TroutRoutes for sponsoring this episode. Use ARTFLY20 to get 20% off of your TroutRoutes Pro membership.
Related Content
BONUS: Tying the Circus Peanut: Streamer Secrets and Fishing Strategies with Russ Maddin
BONUS: Mastering the Beast: A Deep Dive into Bob Popovics' Legendary Fly with Captain Ben Whalley
BONUS: A Deep Dive into the Swingin' D: Techniques and Tips with Mike Schultz
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Helpful Episode Chapters
0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:33 Designing the Original Slammer
0:06:43 Unlocking Castability
0:15:33 Perfecting the Profile
0:19:17 Synthetic Evolution
0:32:53 Michigan Streamer Breakthrough
0:47:15 Casting Big Flies Well
0:53:42 Lines and Leaders
0:56:35 Fishing the Retrieve
1:06:26 Final Thoughts on Weight Balance

Episode Overview
In this Pennsylvania Smallmouth Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with Captain Brian Shumaker of Susquehanna River Guides for a midsummer conditions update on the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania. Recorded following a stretch of triple-digit heat punctuated by heavy rain, the report finds Shumaker firmly in prime topwater season, with blue damselflies coming off heavy from late morning into the evenings and the white fly hatch on deck for the end of July into early August.
Shumaker walks through his day-to-day approach on the water: starting clients with a popping bug and a streamer or crayfish pattern first thing in the morning, then committing fully to topwater by mid-morning. On color selection, he leans on Carolina blue Boogle Bugs and smaller blockhead poppers, with yellow still producing thanks to lingering sulphurs, and blue, white, yellow and green all working depending on the day. For the white fly window, he skips realistic dries in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small white popper twitched across the surface after dark.
The conversation also covers river conditions following recent heavy rain — both the Susquehanna and Juniata are dropping from a solid slug of water but haven't bottomed out, with more rain possibly on the way. Shumaker shares his theory on why big smallmouth become nocturnal feeders once water temperatures push into the high 80s, and closes with fall booking availability for late September into early October.
Key Takeaways
How to structure a summer smallmouth day on the Susquehanna and Juniata by starting with a popper-and-streamer combo and shifting fully to topwater by mid-morning.
Why blue, white, yellow and green popper colors are all producing right now, tied to peak blue damselfly activity and the tail end of the sulphur hatch.
When to expect the white fly hatch to begin on the Susquehanna system, and how to switch presentations from realistic dries to a Clouser's Floating Minnow or a small twitched popper after dark.
Why big smallmouth bass shift to nocturnal feeding once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, and how that changes where and when to target trophy fish.
How to read post-rain conditions on the Susquehanna and Juniata, since both rivers were dropping from a recent high-water event without bottoming out.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Shumaker's summer topwater program centers on popping bug fishing, with a Carolina blue Boogle Bug and smaller blockhead poppers as the go-to producers, plus a yellow Boogle Bug that still draws strikes off the lingering sulphur hatch. Early in the day he'll pair a popper with a streamer or crayfish pattern on a second rod to gauge activity before committing to topwater for the rest of the day. For the incoming white fly hatch, he moves away from imitative dry patterns like a size 12 white Wulff in favor of a Clouser's Floating Minnow tied with a white head and white bucktail, or a smaller white popper twitched across the surface after dark. He also discusses fishing after dark generally as a heat-avoidance and big-fish strategy once water temperatures push into the high 80s and large smallmouth shift to feeding on baitfish and small critters swimming across the river after sunset.
Locations & Species
The report covers the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers in Central Pennsylvania, both of which received a significant rain event that pushed flows up before beginning to recede; the Juniata remains somewhat stained while the Susquehanna is dropping into more fishable shape, with additional rain possible by the weekend. Smallmouth bass are the primary target, with the fishery currently in full topwater mode driven by heavy blue damselfly activity and the approach of the white fly hatch. Shumaker also notes water temperatures reaching the high 80s, which pushes larger, trophy-class smallmouth into nocturnal feeding patterns on baitfish and small terrestrial prey.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What is the best popper color for summer smallmouth on the Susquehanna and Juniata?
Blue is the top producer right now, particularly a Carolina blue Boogle Bug or smaller blockhead poppers, matching the heavy blue damselfly activity. Yellow poppers are also working off the tail end of the sulphur hatch, and white and green will draw strikes as well.
When does the white fly hatch start on the Susquehanna river system?
Shumaker expects the white fly hatch to begin rolling in at the end of July into the beginning of August. It comes off heavy and after dark, which changes both fly selection and the timing of a day on the water.
Why do big smallmouth bass become nocturnal feeders in the summer?
Shumaker's theory is that once water temperatures climb into the high 80s, larger fish shift to feeding after dark, whether to beat the heat or take advantage of baitfish and small critters swimming across the river at night. Fishing after dark is one way anglers can target trophy fish while also avoiding the worst of the daytime heat.
How are the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers fishing after recent heavy rain?
Both rivers received a solid slug of water and are dropping, with the Juniata still somewhat stained. Conditions aren't expected to bottom out before additional rain arrives, which should help keep flows consistent heading into the following week.
When is the best time to book a fall smallmouth trip with Brian Shumaker?
Shumaker highlights the last half of September through the first two weeks of October as a sweet spot, offering cooler conditions than peak summer while still fishing well for Susquehanna and Juniata smallmouth.
Related Content
S8, Ep 48 - Summer Heat Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Smallmouth Tips
S8, Ep 43 - Smallmouth Strategies and Seasonal Shifts: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Report
S8, Ep 39 - High Water Strategies: Captain Brian Shumaker's Pennsylvania Smallmouth Insights
S8, Ep 34 - Frog Patterns and Fishing Strategies: Brian Shumaker's Late Spring Smallmouth Report
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Episode Overview
In this Central PA Fishing Report on The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with George Costa of TCO Fly Shop in State College, Pennsylvania, for a real-time midsummer conditions update. A cooler, wetter stretch of weather has replaced the previous week's heat, giving Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams a welcome break heading into the weekend.
Costa reports that Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek are all running a little above average and slightly off-color after a soaking rain earlier in the week, while the Little Juniata took on considerably more water and needs roughly another day to clear and become fully fishable again. Water temperatures have benefited from the cooler nights and days, though Costa flags the need to keep an eye on afternoon readings as they push toward the high 60s later in the season. On the bug front, Tricos are just getting started on Spring Creek and nearby waters, with the best window running from 8 to 11 in the morning, alongside lingering Cahills and golden stones on the dry fly side and Cahills and caddis in the evenings. Terrestrials, however, are the clear standout right now: ants, greenie weenies, beetles and crickets are producing well as summer patterns take over. Nymphing remains steady, and Costa notes a handful of anglers found success swinging streamers in the higher, off-color water this week. Costa also previews TCO's remaining summer calendar, including the Bass Thumb smallmouth tournament on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers and the outdoor fly fishing festival coming up in early August at Boiling Springs.
Key Takeaways
How to identify prime Trico water on Spring Creek and time the hatch for the 8 to 11 a.m. window when action is strongest.
Why terrestrial patterns like ants, greenie weenies, beetles and crickets are outproducing traditional hatch-matching flies in Central PA right now.
When to switch to streamers on Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek during periods of higher, off-color water.
Why monitoring afternoon water temperatures matters as summer conditions push streams toward the high 60s.
When to expect thunderstorm-driven flow spikes to subside on Central PA freestone and limestone water this time of year.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Costa's report centers on a classic midsummer technique mix for Central Pennsylvania's limestone streams: morning Trico dry fly fishing on Spring Creek, terrestrial presentations (ants, greenie weenies, beetles and crickets) through the heart of the day and evening dry fly work with Cahills and caddis patterns. He also flags golden stones as a still-active dry fly option and notes that nymphing continues to produce consistent results across the region's waters. For anglers facing higher, off-color flows following rain events, Costa recommends switching to streamer presentations, which produced well for several anglers this week on water that had come up and lost clarity.
Locations & Species
This report covers Central Pennsylvania's core limestone and freestone trout fisheries: Spring Creek, Penns Creek and Fishing Creek, all running a little above average and slightly off-color following recent rain, plus the Little Juniata, which took on significantly more water and remains blown out but should clear within about a day. Wild and stocked trout are the primary target throughout. Seasonally, this is a midsummer transition window, with cooler-than-average temperatures providing a temporary reprieve from the prior week's heat, morning Trico hatches just getting underway and terrestrial season firmly established as the dominant daytime feeding driver.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
When is the best time to fish Tricos on Spring Creek in Central PA?
Costa reports Tricos are just getting underway on Spring Creek and other area streams, with the best window running between 8 and 11 in the morning. He notes this timing typically holds through the rest of the summer as the hatch builds.
Why should anglers pay attention to afternoon water temperatures in Central PA during summer?
As the season progresses, afternoon water temperatures on some Central PA streams will start pushing into the high 60s, which can stress trout. Costa advises anglers to check afternoon temps as the season progresses.
What terrestrial patterns are working best right now in Central PA?
Costa identifies ants, greenie weenies, beetles and crickets as the key terrestrial patterns producing results this time of year. He recommends these as the go-to searching patterns during the midsummer terrestrial window.
Should anglers fish streamers when Central PA streams are up and off-color?
Yes. Costa notes that a couple of anglers did well on streamers this week specifically because the water was up and running off-color, reinforcing that elevated, discolored flows are a good trigger to switch from dries or nymphs to streamer presentations.
What TCO Fly Shop events are coming up this summer?
The Bass Thumb tournament, a smallmouth bass event on the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the Juniata River, was running the weekend of this recording. TCO's outdoor fly fishing festival at Boiling Springs follows in the first week of August at Children's Lake Park.
Related Content
S8, Ep 17 - Spring Awakening: George Costa on Central PA Fishing and Upcoming Hatches
S7, Ep 70 - The Dog Days of Summer: Trico Tactics in Central PA with George Costa
S8, Ep 47 - Central PA Fishing Forecast: George Costa's Summer Stream Insights
S8, Ep 42 - Exploring Terrestrials and Summer Patterns: George Costa's Fishing Forecast
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Episode Overview
How do East Tennessee anglers keep varied, high-quality fishing going through the peak of summer heat? On this East Tennessee Fishing Report from The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash checks in with guide Ellis Ward for a summer conditions update covering tailwater trout, musky and an evening-into-night program that few outfitters offer. The answer, as Ellis explains, comes down to water: East Tennessee's cold tailwater releases stay productive for trout even on the hottest days, while nearby musky water holds in the low 70s, giving anglers a rare menu of species and techniques regardless of the forecast.
The conversation moves through an unusually strong summer streamer bite for brown trout in the 14- to 25-inch range, with Ellis explaining why section-to-section variability and angler expectations matter more than any single pattern or retrieve. He describes his preference for targeting fewer, bigger fish rather than fishing indicators for numbers days, and details the close-to-the-surface, low-light strikes that produce the most violent, committed eats of the season, comparing that aggression to how post-spawn fish feed. He also breaks down how tributary runoff and turbidity from high water can create inconsistent windows for sulphur hatch dry fly activity, with fish keying on bug availability tied to clarity and light rather than air temperature alone. A significant portion of the episode focuses on Ellis' evening-into-night program, in which he chases the hatch transition into mousing for trophy browns, offering a different rhythm than the typical 8-to-4 lodge schedule. He closes with a candid discussion of the physical toll that late-night guiding takes and why July and August are the prime window for anglers wanting to experience the full range of the summer program in a single trip.
Key Takeaways
How East Tennessee tailwaters stay cold enough to keep trout fishing productive through the hottest days of summer while nearby musky water holds steady in the low 70s, opening up options other regions lose to summer heat.
Why summer streamer success depends more on managing expectations and reading section-to-section conditions than on any single fly pattern or retrieve.
When cloudier, lower-light conditions and fishing a streamer closer to the surface tend to produce the highest-commitment, violent strikes from large brown trout, a pattern Ellis compares to the aggressive feeding behavior of post-spawn fish.
Why targeting fewer, bigger fish with streamers can outperform indicator-based numbers days once summer bite windows narrow.
Why tributary runoff and increased turbidity can shut down sulphur hatch dry fly activity even when conditions otherwise look promising.
How targeting the evening hatch transition into night mousing opens up trophy brown trout opportunities that most lodge-based trip schedules miss entirely.
When to plan a summer trip to experience streamers, dry flies, mousing and musky fishing all within the same visit.

Techniques & Gear Covered
Ellis walks through his summer streamer approach, targeting fewer and bigger fish rather than running indicators for numbers days, with an emphasis on two-handed retrieves using Game Changer-style patterns, Clousers and Kreelex Minnows depending on light and water clarity. The season's standout strikes come close to the surface in lower light and stained water, producing the kind of committed, violent takes he compares to post-spawn feeding behavior. On the dry fly side, sulphur hatch activity is the primary summer draw, though Ellis stresses that bug emergence tracks closely with turbidity and cloud cover rather than simply air temperature. For the evening program, he transitions from dry fly presentations on 4- and 5-weight rods into mousing after dark, a tactic that demands patience and a mental approach he compares to musky fishing. Gear spans a wide range, from 4-weight dry fly rods up through 8-weight streamer setups, along with baitcasting gear for musky depending on what the day calls for.
Locations & Species
This report covers East Tennessee tailwater fisheries, where cold water released from upstream reservoirs keeps trout fishing productive even during the region's hottest summer stretches, when many other regions see fishing quality decline. Target species include brown trout in the 14- to 25-inch range, with fish on the higher end of that range producing the season's most memorable streamer eats, along with musky and striper as secondary targets depending on conditions and angler interest. Seasonal context centers on summer heat management: tailwater releases keep trout water cold while separate musky water stays in the low 70s, and periodic tributary runoff introduces turbidity that shapes both streamer and dry fly windows day to day. Ellis notes that the July-to-August window offers the widest range of options, with the program shifting away from streamers, dry flies and mousing once fall arrives.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
Why does East Tennessee offer such varied summer fishing options compared to other regions?
Tailwater releases keep trout water cold and productive even on the hottest days of the year, while nearby musky water holds in the low 70s during the same stretch, an unusual combination most regions don't have. That range lets anglers choose between trout, musky or even striper depending on conditions and preference, without summer heat shutting down the fishing.
How does summer streamer fishing vary throughout the day and across a river?
Ellis emphasizes that the same stretch of river can look completely different four hours apart, so consistency in technique matters more than chasing a single hot bite window. He also cautions that angler expectations often outpace reality, since most fish will not slam a streamer the way anglers picture, and staying mentally locked in over a full day continues to pay off even during slower stretches. He also contrasts his approach of targeting fewer, bigger fish with the higher-volume numbers days some anglers chase using strike indicators.
Why does dry fly activity slow down even when sulphur hatches are strong?
Tributary runoff following recent flooding pushes turbidity into tailwater sections, and bugs are less likely to emerge in off-color water regardless of temperature or time of year. Fish and insects both respond to clarity and light, so a little color in the water often produces better dry fly activity than gin-clear conditions, particularly under overcast skies.
Why does Ellis Ward run an evening-into-night fishing program instead of a standard daytime schedule?
Chasing the evening hatch transition into mousing lets anglers catch the window when big fish become most active and least pressured, since most lodge-based trips are off the water by late afternoon. Ellis acknowledges the tradeoff is real: trips can run past midnight, and sustaining that schedule night after night is physically demanding, even though he considers it worth it for the fish it produces.
When is the best time to book an East Tennessee trip for the full summer program?
Ellis recommends the July-to-August window for anglers who want to experience streamers, dry flies, mousing and musky fishing in a single visit, since that stretch offers the widest range of conditions and techniques. He notes this program runs for roughly three to four months before shifting focus by fall.
Related Content
S7, Ep 45 - Navigating the Waters: Streamers and Strategies in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward
S8, Ep 12 - Flows and Focus: Navigating Spring Fishing in East Tennessee with Ellis Ward
S6, Ep 98 - Navigating Late Summer Waters and Mousing Tactics with Ellis Ward
S6, Ep 142 - Winter Musky Adventures and Streamer Tactics with Ellis Ward
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Episode Overview
How do skilled fly casters actually maximize distance by shooting line, and why do most anglers overestimate how well they have mastered it? On this Casting Angles segment of The Articulate Fly fly fishing podcast, host Marvin Cash reconnects with Master Casting Instructor Mac Brown of Mac Brown Fly Fish in Bryson City, North Carolina, for a deep dive into the mechanics of shooting line.
Drawing on college-level research using high-speed cameras and strobe lights, Mac explains why the vast majority of anglers who claim they shoot line well are really only releasing a foot or two rather than developing true mastery of the skill. The conversation covers how to slip line out efficiently before a cast even begins, using a roll-cast pickup to shoot line on both the pickup and the back cast so a caster can go from a modest working distance to 90 feet or more in a single sequence. Mac also unpacks why an elliptical stroke, such as a Belgian or constant-tension cast, is far more efficient for shooting line on the back cast than the vertical stroke used for accuracy casting, since the rod can point directly at the unrolling line.
A key technical thread running through the episode is the importance of holding the running line in an "okay" symbol grip between the thumb and index finger, which reduces line oscillation through the stripping guide from several feet down to just a few inches and produces significantly more shooting distance. Marvin and Mac close by discussing a simple self-assessment drill anglers can use to honestly measure their own progress, along with details on Mac's fall casting school offerings.
Key Takeaways
How to shoot more line on both the pickup and the back cast by using a roll-cast pickup so a single forward delivery can reach up to 90 feet.
Why holding the running line in an "okay" symbol grip between the thumb and index finger reduces line oscillation through the stripping guide and produces significantly greater shooting distance.
How to slip line out efficiently on an up-and-across drift by feeding line back out rather than retrieving all the way in before recasting.
Why an elliptical stroke, such as a Belgian or constant-tension cast, shoots line more efficiently on the back cast than the vertical stroke used for accuracy casting.
How to honestly assess mastery of shooting line by measuring the single-cast distance gain from a fixed starting length rather than trusting subjective confidence.
When to isolate shooting line on the forward cast alone as a practice drill before combining it with the back cast.

Techniques & Gear Covered
The episode centers on the mechanics of shooting line, including the difference between shooting on the forward cast and the back cast and how stroke shape changes the amount of line a caster can release. Mac details the "okay" symbol grip for controlling running line, the roll-cast pickup as a method for shooting line before the delivery stroke even begins, and the pause-power-path framework (the "three P's") that underlies casting mechanics generally. He also references the Belgian cast and constant-tension cast as elliptical-stroke techniques suited to shooting large amounts of line on the back cast, a style more commonly associated with saltwater casting.
FAQ / Key Questions Answered
What does it mean to "shoot line" in fly casting?
Shooting line means releasing slack line from the non-casting hand during the forward or back cast so the line travels farther. Mac Brown explains that nearly every angler believes they already shoot line effectively, but letting a foot or two slip out is very different from developing the mechanics needed to shoot 30 feet or more with a single stroke.
How can I get more line out before I even start my delivery cast?
Rather than retrieving line all the way back in on an upstream drift and then trying to recast the full distance, feed line back out as the fly drifts toward and past you so you maintain most of your working distance. Using a roll-cast pickup also lets you shoot additional line right on the pickup itself, then shoot again on the back cast, setting up a much bigger forward delivery.
Why should I hold my running line in an "okay" symbol grip instead of just letting it go?
Holding the line between the thumb and index finger reduces the oscillation of the line as it travels through the small stripping guide, from roughly 3 to 5 feet of movement down to just 3 to 5 inches. Mac's college-level research with high-speed cameras showed this controlled release produces significantly more shooting distance than simply releasing the line freely.
How do I know if I have actually mastered shooting line?
Start at a fixed distance, such as 30 feet, and measure how far a single back cast and forward cast can carry the line. If the total only increases to 35 or 40 feet, Mac says that indicates the caster has not developed real mastery, since anglers with genuine skill can add significantly more distance in that single sequence.
Why is an elliptical stroke better than a vertical stroke for shooting line on the back cast?
An elliptical stroke, such as a Belgian cast or constant-tension cast, keeps the rod pointed at the unrolling line throughout the stroke, which is far more efficient for shooting line. A vertical stroke used for accuracy casting bends the line's path over more of an angle, which limits how much line can be released on the back cast.
Related Content
S7, Ep 16 - Simplifying Complexity: Effective Teaching Strategies in Fly Fishing with Mac Brown
S8, Ep 45 - Casting Fundamentals: Mac Brown on the Art of the Reach Mend
S7, Ep 20 - Practice Makes Perfect: Mac Brown on Mastering Casting Techniques
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Follow Mac on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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