Lasse Karlsson wrote: ↑Mon Jun 01, 2020 8:28 pm
I'm with you on short headed lines. I don't like them. I much prefer a long headed weight forward, or even better a double taper. I've never found a quick way to work out what overhang length is best for the line to delay turnover. It always takes me a while. How do you do it?
Haul length plus the amount of line you pull out of the direction to the intended taget, so you just start the loop in the taper.
Letting go at the right time is the best way of delaying turnover.
Cheera
Lasse
Hi Lasse,
Thank's for that
So, for example, if you only had 5 mins to find the optimum for an unfamiliar line, what would you? Back shoot a significant amount of running line at different lengths? That's what i do personally. You have had far more experience than me with shooting heads etc so would greatly value your opinion. Are you going to post that video of you false casting with overhang again?
Also, Lasse, triangle taper holding the backing knot
I'd love to see a video of you doing that, but i know you can do it anyway.
The way *not* to cast a fly line with a 30’ head for distance is with 1-2m of overhang. But neither is it to hold the backing knot in the line hand. It’s somewhere in-between, closer to the backing knot than the head but still less than our maximum carry. Floating the cast with just the head out isn’t going to beat a longer carry even with these short heads because a) longer lengths of fly leg take longer to unroll and b) friction in the running line is going to both bleed energy from the unrolling loop as well as turn the loop over early. Release timing is independent of head length.
I agree
I haven't fished with a short headed line for about 12 years, the dry fly fishing where i am is better suited to a long headed line. When i had a Rio gold, i remember using a significant amount of back shooting on the final cast, maybe 20-25'? I don't know about you, but a lot of people i know do use this line, and they seem to think the 'optimum loading point(!) sorry gents
' is when the colour change is at the tip. As you say, Paul, this isn't the way to cast those shorter headed lines.
I believe for comp distance you should actually try to carry the amount you need without back shooting (obviously you are better than me, Paul, so would be glad to get your ideas on this), the one advantage i can see to that is, if you mess up your timing, you can pull it back and get it under control. If you can't carry what you need to, and do back shoot, you don't have another shot at it. However, for short headed lines i think back shooting is the best thing you can do for fishing. Of course you can false cast it with significant overhang, and even carrying the whole line, but for fishing i think back shooting is more practical. What do you think?
All the best!