£550.00
Roll casting isn’t a back cast at all. It is a circular motion cast that changes the direction of the line. Instead of being a straight line, roll casts use a tensioned curved loop of line called a “D” loop, but the three casting rules still apply.
Roll casts depend on the back cast forming a smooth, curved loop making the line have minimal contact with the water while the remainder of the loop is perfectly formed in mid-air allowing the power stroke to be delivered with a maximum of efficiency at the instant of water contact. The rod does not stop during a roll cast. It simply changes direction and speed being loaded at all times.
There should be no slack in the loop when the forward cast is made. Simple roll casts can be made with a stationary loop of line drooping to the water’s surface from the rod tip. This can be very useful when casting a short distance or straightening the line in preparation for a longer cast.
Longer roll casts are made by forming the loop and delivering the stroke in one continuous motion. The forward cast or power stroke is delivered in an upward direction to insure the line is propelled clear of the water. You should make the cast crisply and aim high.
Single handed roll casts rely directly on fast, snappy wrist action. The “D” loop is formed by elevating the rod to 11:00 at a suitable angle away from the body with the arm somewhat extended. The arm is drawn back to the body while the rod is simultaneously swept backwards to 2:00 by the wrist opening up and turning into a loop preparing for the acceleration into the power stroke.
Essentially, what you are doing is moving the rod around slowly and to the back to about 2:00. Then when the line is below and behind, make the forward cast smoothly stopping at 11:00. Because the line is below and behind, the cast is made upward.
The pear shaped loop made by the tip of the rod is what constructs the “D” loop. By stopping the rearward motion of the line, it allows the leader and the tip of the line to land on the surface to provide the anchor for the power stroke. If the line is not anchored, the energy from the power stroke will be discharged immediately. Instead of the line being propelled forward, the fly will whiplash which could cause danger to you!
An adaptation of this cast is the roll lift. With this cast, the rolling motion is used as a means for lifting a dead line from the water to make a straight line false cast. To do the roll lift correctly, the line must be hit even harder and higher than normal to insure that the line is straight and the fly does not kiss the water when the straight line back cast begins.
The mechanics of each of these methods depends on sufficient energy being applied to a length of line behind the rod to propel it during the forward cast. Every cast is dependent on a good back cast.
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