Reach Cast

When fishing on moving water drag comes into play quickly often spoiling the natural drift of a fly. Most fish simply won't take a fly that is either creating a wake on the surface or moving faster or slower than surrounding objects in the water column. A reach cast can serve you well, creating some up-current slack in the line that prolongs a drag-free, more natural drift of the fly, on top or subsurface. After you stop the rod on presentation cast, as the line straightens out before falling to the surface, sweep the rod up-current to a position roughly 90 degrees from your stop position. This moves much of the line up-current, taking a longer time to move downstream and thus delaying dragging the fly -- producing a longer drag-free drift of the fly. To avoid pulling the fly off-target, slip line as you make the reach -- let some additional line slip out through the guides as you make the reach. You'll benefit from this very effective technique to help overcome drag.