The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

So, regardless of the casting plane, the primary cause of a tailing loop is an unequal application of power (less on the forward stroke than on the rearward stroke)...thanks for the information.

Paul

Wow that's some post! Karate chop huh.... I just tried that out on the lawn. Stopped my backcast near my ear( pretty much where I usually stop)then stopped my front cast at my waist like you said and the line went right into the ground. I tried stopping at about 10 O'clock( actually a little further foward, maybe 9:30 or so) and things worked much better. I guess I need some work on my karate chop maybe? There was a "Way of Japan" dojo right down the street from where I lived as a kid. If I'd only known back then.....

Paul,

Well, not exactly. But, an "overpowered" back cast will cause the rod tip to travel in a concave arc, even when a "proper" Overhead casting stroke is executed.

In my observations, at least, the most common cause for tailing loops is what I stated in my first paragraph. And I only addressed two of those causes. But, I do believe that an elliptical stroke will eliminate tailing loops caused by a large majority of casting stroke/timing flaws. Just by the simple fact that the the line planes change in mid air....

Any who, you're welcome.

Dano

Shawn wrote:
Wow that's some post! Karate chop huh.... I just tried that out on the lawn. Stopped my backcast near my ear( pretty much where I usually stop)then stopped my front cast at my waist like you said and the line went right into the ground...

Aw come on, Shawn. I didn't say to stop the forward cast at the waist...Probably, "Karate chop" was a poor description but it was the best I could come up with. Certainly not a full chop. Fundamentally, an elliptical stroke is the same as any other casting stroke, it's just the rod planes change. Jeez.

Dano

Thanks again for the information...most of my students resolve their tailing loop problems through the application of equal power on each of the strokes.

Paul

Paul,

And that could be because you taught them the proper casting stroke to begin with...But, hell, my observations come from what I see on the streams, not in the "classroom".

Like I said, an elliptical stroke isn't a cure all, but is a real easy way to eliminate tailing loops and certainly comes in real handy when a conventional Overhead cast just can't be used because of obstacles, difficult lies, and what not.

Again, you're welcome.

Dano

Dano wrote:
Like I said, an elliptical stroke isn't a cure all, but is a real easy way to eliminate tailing loops and certainly comes in real handy when a conventional Overhead cast just can't be used because of obstacles, difficult lies, and what not. Dano

Just like using a set of crutches to get around comes in real handy when you have a broken leg however, if you don't take measures to heal the break so you can walk without using the crutches, you remain physically unable to perform in an effective manner to get around even the most common and simple obstacles.

Paul

Many of my most memorable fish have been caught using a perfectly executed tailing loop.

Geez Dave, first you out fish us, then tell us you're doing it with tailing loops!

Karate chops aren't a bad first analogy for kids to learn the stop. Chops are cool If they're strong, you just got to get them to lay off the power at the beginning. Wait til it's straight, then start smooooth

Yep!
In the end, it really doesn't matter how you get the fly on the water as long as the fish takes the fly.

Paul