There is quite a lot to unpack here because if, for example, we are teaching someone to take shots at tarpon, then we don’t want them watching their backcasts, principally because the fish is moving. So we need to teach them how to make that same great tight loop backcast, directly away from the front target (which is not the fish, but a chosen point in front of the fish) without watching their backcast.
This is a process. It’s certainly something I get asked to coach by my students – at least half of them come to improve their saltwater shot taking. And anyone who comes fishing with me here in Malaysia MUST be able to do this (as well as other skills), before they come here.
Where the problem often lies, is trying to introduce this long before the caster has learned to control loops, even with watching them. And often that can be because haven’t been taught to watch them!
Fortunately we still have cues that allow the backcast to be straight. Drawing straight back from the front target. Lifting directly away from the front target. The angle the rod tip makes to the front target (or the angle the line makes at the end of the lift). The shoulder can be another cue, if we are casting vertically.
The most common problem I see is someone actually not having a rear target. I always talk about an imaginary bell that they have to ring on the backcast. This bell exists for every backcast; its height is determined by the trajectory of the next forward cast.
Not only does the cast need to be aimed at the bell, but the caster needs to be aware of the backcast until the fly hits the bell. “Ting”. This can solve Creep. After all, Creep, is usually the result of the angler shifting his attention to the next cast, before the backcast has fully unrolled. If his or her attention is focussed on the fly actually striking the bell, “Ting”, then Creep is not going to occur. There may be timing issues but that’s a different problem — at least according to Bill and our definition of Creep.
What I have them do, to learn to make a backcast without watching, is to have them alternately looking and not looking at various periods while falsecasting. Target casting is really good for front cues being used to fire away a great backcast. It’s a whole set of training exercises to make the transition from watching to not watching, but an essential one anyone who wants to have fun fishing in the Salt or have their arse kicked in Malaysia.
Jesus there is a whole herd of elephants working their way around the bank and I just know they are going to be splashing around the boat tonight. Fifteen of them. I’d better prime the motor in case I need an emergency exit.
Cheers, Paul
