A Drag Free Drift

The trout streams are getting low and clear and the trout are very selective about taking our dry flies even when they match the natural foods the trout are feeding upon.  The most common cause of these refusals is a dragging artificial fly which is caused by the current pulling on the leader or line or both.

The easiest way to prevent this drag is to use a cast which places the line and leader on the stream in a manner that prevents the current from pulling it unnaturally.

Years ago Vince Marinaro showed me how to use his “puddle cast” and I use this cast more than any other to get a drag free dry fly drift.  This is easy to learn.  On the presentation cast extend 5 to 10 feet of more line beyond the rod tip than is needed to reach the target.  As the line turns over on the forward cast the rod tip is stopped 20 to 30 degrees over the stream causing the line and leader to fall on the stream in slack curves giving  you a drag free drift and you catch your trout.

The “Lazy S Cast” is another cast to help you get a drag free dry fly drift.  With this cast the rod tip is wiggled from side to side on the presentation cast producing slack line on the stream.

The “Bounce Cast” is made by overpowering the presentation cast and stopping the rod abruptly at the end of the cast causing the line to fall in slack curves.

“Reach” and “Curve” casts can also be helpful in achieving natural drifts.

There are times I use each of these, but I rely on Vince’s” Puddle Cast”  in most situations.