Advanced Fly Fishing Techniques: Casting for Atlantic Salmon & Stealth

I have some very personal views when it concerns casting a dry fly. My ideas of how to cast while wading and body movements while casting are not exactly what you will find else where on the web. The reasons for the difference in technique come from the type of fish that I angle.

 Atlantic salmon have influence over the slight modifications I make to traditional methods and mainly it is so I can remain undetected.  Some teachers instruct their students to use more of their body while casting to reduce the overall stress that their shoulder will suffer. I am sorry to inform you but moving your hole body while in wast deep water won't do you any good.

It is great teaching for shore and competition casting but when you move your body during a cast in waste deep water all movement below the waters surface begins to generate an outward force in all directions. This force is noticeable to Salmon and brook trout through the lateral line much the same way rocks and predators are avoided while swimming in stained or dark water with lower light levels.

So when moving your hips and legs during a cast your letting the fish know something unnatural is in their environment and with all the little things you need to put together to be successful when angling Atlantic salmon the devil will most certainly be in these details.

My preferred casting method  while wading consists of only using only my wrist to short cast and nothing above my elbow for longer casts. Although it goes against some teachings this method will help you hook up more often and remain stealthy while wading.

Short casting with just your wrist requires some strength I personally have been swinging hammers for years to finance my obsession so hand and wrist strength is no problem. If your having trouble with pain in your hand or tired biceps try using a roll cast from the bank for a while each time you angle it will  increase your casting strength rather quickly.

There are a multitude of factors that influence the reaction of a salmon to a dry fly. Water temperature, fly selection and presentation are obvious. But it's the little far more subtle observations that will add up to long term success.

Feel the sound coming from the river bottom while you wade actively attempting to reduce your impact with each following step.When you come to a stop stay to a stop don't wiggle around like a child that forgot to pee before dressing in his waders.  Adjust your position with casting angles using body movement only when absolutely necessary.

Stay still while casting in waist high or deeper water especially if it is slack or very clear. Use you wrist and elbow but try to avoid the access twisting of your joints and tendons it's not worth getting hurt over a salmon.

Pay attention to your form while casting. Not unlike practicing a martial art form and fluency will greatly reduce the need to work on power alone. Form, fluency, strength, accuracy and adaptability are all skills needed previous to a perfect presentation of the correct or sometimes very lucky dry fly.

 Before I end this blog and my future posts I want to leave you with a three quick tips each time. Today three river tips to remember.

1  Avoid wading if possible and keep low upon approach to the waters edge.

2   Never quit mid drift and recast, even a poor presentation can trigger a strike.

3  Don't cast to a rising Atlantic salmon right away instead wait 8 or 10 seconds for the fish to settle back down before casting.

That's it for this one hope I have been helpful and thanks for reading. Feel free to leave comments below all your input is welcome...FishinDan