With the advent of an
increase in the numbers of fly fishers, it is only a natural
evolution that their casting skill levels will begin to increase
with time. One of the multi dimensional joys of fly casting
is the opportunity to constantly add to and improve ones
skills.
As we become more proficient casters,
the natural progression for most of us is to want to cast further
distances. Why? Because, of course, ALL fish live on the other
bank of all rivers, streams, and ponds, at the opposite
end of the flats and, even in the ocean are constantly
situated completely out of normal casting reach! Solution? The
infamous Double Haul!
Based on some research I have done recently, I discovered that
the double haul was actually developed by tournament casters
to increase efficiency and distance. It was only more recently
that this technique was incorporated into fishing casts as well.
What is the double haul, and when and
why do we use it? Let's take a closer look.
The haul is actually just what its name connotes...it is simply
a tug, haul, or pull, executed by “the line hand”
(that hand which is not holding the rod, on the line at the
same time as power is being applied by the rod hand.
With a haul you
must add the use of your line hand, (the hand not holding the
rod) - the key to the haul is TIMING - both hands must operate
at precisely the same time. This is no more, or less, difficult
than rubbing your head and patting your stomach at the same
time....it just takes practice!
In reality, and this is critical to be aware of, the maximum
line speed occurs exactly as the rod starts to unload, as it
is stopped - not a minute before, not a split second after!
Have a friend hold your fly line out of
the rod tip firmly while you “set the hook.” Look
at the bend in the rod. Now, take your line hand and simulate
a little haul downwards on the line. Notice that the rod bends
even further?
You have just added more load to the rod
- which is exactly what the double haul accomplishes!
Because so many of us learn from different teachers, videos,
and books and it can get confusing, just be aware that both
terminology and interpretation can differ from guru to guru.
Example: power application -
Lefty Kreh calls it “a speed up and stop”; Joan Wulff
calls it “a power snap”; Mel Krieger calls it “Whuuumping
the rod”; Jim Green calls it “a positive stop”,
Gary Borger calls it “energy transfer,” and so on.....
Back to basics:
Why do we use the double haul?
1.
Loading and
unloading
the rod (bending and unbending the rod). The SECRET of
all good fly casting!!!
No acceptable cast
can be made without forming a good loop. No loop can be
formed to cast any distance without loading the rod correctly.
The deeper the load, and the greater the line speed, the further
and more controlled the cast is. The double haul puts that extra
bend or load in the rod.
2.
The double haul makes us work less when casting longer
lines. Let me explain:
Remember! “short cast, short stroke...long cast, long stroke?”
Instead of struggling to carry 60 feet of fly line in the air
with a 28 inch loooong casting stroke...by adding the use of our line
hand and giving a slight haul or pull, we can cast the same
distance, using perhaps only a 16 inch stroke, and with half
the effort.
Believe me, if you are casting to fish
continuously for 8 hours, you will appreciate the ability to
save energy.
3.
The double haul helps to speed up the time it takes to let the line unroll between
casts.
By now as a caster you know that you cannot make any cast with
a lot of slack in your line. The rod, line, and leader must
all be moving in the same direction before you can begin the
cast.
A 40 lb. permit swims rapidly by, just out of
reach...you need to get your fly to it with one cast (several
false casts overhead will surely spook it).
By adding a haul with your line hand, you straighten out the
line and leader more quickly and are ready to begin the next
cast sooner.
4. The double haul gives us more line/leader
control and improve our distance accuracy.
The longer the casting distance, the more
margin for error, particularly in adverse conditions. By adding
a haul and tightening up our loops, we can make the end result
somewhat more efficient, and get more distance.
5.
The double haul
makes people who can’t do it green with envy.
I see anglers all the time who have been fly fishing for over
40 years! They can outfish me in a heartbeat...but...they are
incapable of using the double haul.
They weren't taught these casts when they started fly fishing,
and consequently assume that they are very difficult to execute.
6.
And, it makes
casting a lot more fun!
7.
The double
haul helps to keep control between the line hand and the
first guide. Remember, you can’t make a good cast until all the
slack is out of the line.
8.
The double haul makes
turning over long delicate leaders easier.
However, the most
important reason we use the double haul or pull is:
9.
To increase line
speed.
Why would we want to do that? How about casting in windy
conditions? The extra speed created by the haul once again
makes our casts more energy and aerodynamically efficient, hence
the line will cut through wind more easily. And, that extra
speed in turn gives our cast enough extra power, so
that we can cast in the wind without
killing ourselves.
10.
Additionally, increasing the line speed
makes it easier to cast a greater
distance.
PITFALLS
If your line hand
hauls too soon, all it accomplishes is to pull line back
through the rod tip. If you haul too late (after the stop
or "power snap") again, you only succeed in pulling line away
from your target.
Be careful not to
bring your line hand back up ("giving back line ") too
soon/quickly at the end of the haul or else you will have
slack between your line hand and the first guide...again
defeating the purpose of the haul. YOU MUST MAINTAIN TENSION
on the line at all times.
IF, however,
you haul at the correct moment, you force an
additional bend in the rod (loading the rod). By increasing
the bend or load, this flexible lever called a fly rod will have
to UNBEND/UNLOAD that same additional amount. By so
doing, it will generate more line speed, and consequently
the caster will efficiently achieve more
distance, and line and leader control.
If you play tennis, don’t you usually use the ball
machine and warm up for ages, before a match? Don’t most golfers
go to the driving range, and the putting green before playing 18
holes? HOW many times do you and I practice fly casting? 1ce
a week? 1ce a month?
I want to leave you with this thought – I can give you all
the information you need, and lots of coaching – but I can’t
cast for you – the only one who can
improve your casting is YOU! How? Practice, practice, practice!
I HOPE I HAVE
INSPIRED YOU TO GRAB A ROD AND GO OUTSIDE AND START WORKING ON
YOUR DOUBLE HAUL! NOW – WHILE IT’S FRESH IN YOUR HEAD.
Good luck! And Have
fun!
Ode to the Double
Haul
In the future, when you’re fishing,
If you need to double haul,
No more praying, and no more wishing,
PRACTICE...and you’ll have it all!
Be it Madame Wulff or Master Krieger
They’re all superb, and all so eager
To lend a hand... give sage advice,
We’re very lucky that they’re so nice...
