From The Mail Bag – Your Fishing Questions Answered

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September 3rd, 2008
Sterling
UK


Dear Steve,

I do not really read your website but you strike me as a mature and sensible person.

Earlier this summer my husband told me he had taken up fly-fishing. I thought it was marvelous until I noticed that each time he returned from a day or weekend supposedly on the water, he looked quite haggard and smelled of liquor, or worse- perfume.

I finally confronted him. We had a terrible row that ended when I asked him to prove to me that he was really going fly-fishing. We walked into the back garden where I made him demonstrate that he could tie on a fly and actually make a cast. He managed to tie the fly on but then immediately hooked our shrubbery, which was behind him!

I think my marriage may be over. Presently, we have not spoken for the last four days. What do you think?

With Regards,

Mrs. Archie Smith

September 10, 2008
Nova Scotia
Canada

Dear Mrs. Smith,

The problem with hooking-up on the back cast is often because one has not applied enough power to the lifting stroke. That will allow the line to fall to the ground behind the caster rather than keeping it in the air and well clear of low obstacles. In the case of casting with shrubbery too close behind, I would suggest a steeple cast or a variation of the spey or roll cast.

Cheers,
Steve