from Gordy

Once in a while in the salt out on a windy flat, I'll use what I call a "reverse Belgian cast".

This one works well casting into a head wind. The back cast is made with an almost vertical rod plane, then the forward cast with a more horizontal rod plane. The trajectory (launch angle) for the back cast is high (allowing the wind to assist) and that for the forward cast low to the fish. This, also, prevents the spooky permit from seeing a fly line high in the air as it approaches him.

Sometimes I use this when wind is not a factor. By combining this with an upward curving power snap for my delivery cast, I can get the fly to travel out, then turn upward as the leader unfurls to make a softer landing when using a sinking fly to a bonefish. Helps to avoid spooking the fish.

When fishing a large heavy weighted crab fly for permit, I need to have the leader/line layout as straight as possible because the permit may take the fly and immediately spit it out. ANY slack and no hookup occurs. For this I like the standard, "Belgian" cast coupled with a smooth check haul, ("triple haul"). The line/leader landing straight means that I can come tight the second the fish takes the fly. Doug Swisher once showed me an alternative to that check haul, as he simply thrust his rod back away from the, "target" as the leader unfurled. If you use a large loop because of the weight of the fly, you can use both maneuvers at the same time.

As I'm sure you know, this elliptical cast can be effective with a strong wind from the casting arm side. The back cast can be made over the casting arm shoulder, and the forward cast in a different rod plane so that the rod tip and line go over the opposite shoulder. With a VERY strong wind, placing the forward cast directly overhead is OK as the wind will carry it over the line hand shoulder.

Of course, these all belong in the category of elliptical casts.

Gordy

From: "Allen Crise" <flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Rick Whorwood" <whorwood@xxxxxxxxx>
CC: "Gordy Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>,"Allen Crise" <flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: CCI
Date: Wed, 16 Aug 2006 06:49:13 -0500

Howdy Rick,

You asked "how you would explain the Belgian Cast and why we would use it"

The Belgian cast or Belgian wind cast is an elliptical cast. That is the Rod plane changes from pick up to backcast to forward or presentation cast. Without noticeable stopping of the rod. continuous tension cast. (Mine) Use to keep the fly from striking the rod leg of the line. Better control in the wind, due to lack of tension on the back cast that lets the fly drop in it's travel.

From Jason's "Nature of Fly Casting" pp 146 & 147

"Basically a backcast made in one rod plane ( usually sidearm) and a forward cast made in another, different rod plane (usually overhead). Done smoothly, this compound module is the ticket for casting split shot, making good use of a tailwind and solving other presentation problems. "

From Mel's "Essence of Flycasting " pp.103-105

He sums it up this way.

"This pull-around, swing-around, Constant-pressure, oval casting stroke is a winner,.."

Para phrased.. for casting Sinking lines and shooting tapers with added control by the separation of the planes of the backcast and forward cast.

I hope this helps.

ol Al