Slapped myself silly

[Paul Huffman]

I was having fun Saturday trying out a new Airflo Skagit head looking for some steelhead on the Klickitat. It was all working out so well except for this one cast. I was doing a snake roll from the left bank but with my right hand on top. The splash-and-go part dropped into real shallow water in front of me, and on the go part of the splash and go, the fly caught briefly on the bottom. Suddenly, Wham! I got slapped in the left side of the head and across my back with a heavy section of the belly. The leader wrapped around my right arm from the back and the fly ended up stuck in my shirt under my right armpit. What happened? I don't understand the physics involved or the line trajectory. Nobody ever warned me about the hazard from knicking the bottom during the forward stroke.

[Red Shed]

Paul,
From your description it sounds like you used the Poppy version of that cast.:eek:

[miyawaki]

Damn, I only do that when I see rolling fish.

Leland.

[Smalma]

I think you hit on the explaination of why aficionados of the two-handed rods are the way they are!!

Curt

[fredaevans]

I think you hit on the explaination of why aficionados of the two-handed rods are the way they are!!

Curt

Whoa Big Fella! I resemble that remark.:cool:

Probably cause, assuming your D/V loop formed behind you was the forward casting 'line' was far (if not exactly) too verticle (sp sucks today). Remember the line/leader/fly follows the rod tip as they all move forward. I'd guess the rod tip was not canted off to the side 10-15 degrees to give all that 'following stuff' some place to go ... save for being aimed right at the back of your head.bawling:

[Sinktip]

I have been spey casting a little bit this last winter and almost ripped my ear off with a not so pretty cast. There is some real power behind that line even when it goes bad. I now make sure my hat covers my ears before I cast and try not to let the rod tip go behind my head on the back cast.

[Paul Huffman]

Probably cause, assuming your D/V loop formed behind you was the forward casting 'line' was far (if not exactly) too verticle (sp sucks today).

I'm aware of that casting error after many close calls. What surprised me was the same thing happens if the fly hangs just a bit on the bottom. I suppose with the line screwing toward the caster, when the fly gets hung, the d loop just keeps coming and rotates around the hung fly and ends up behind the caster.

[Don Stracener]

Just learning to Spey cast with the very capable Fred Evans, thanks Fred. Matter of fact this weekend was the first.

Considering I wrapped the leader around Freds head, I think Spey casting is dangerous! :hmmm: :hmmm: Fred's OK, no hook.

Now after reading this I think we need a Spey casting helmet and to protect ourselves from ripping off an ear, it should be a mandatory item. :eek: We could add a sun visor and some other options. J/K