Presentation..

[hf]

What do people mean when they speak about 'presentation of the fly'?

(a) Is it just that the fly should be at the end of a straight line/cast and not in a mess because the fly hasn't turned over?

Or

(b) Does it also include depth the fly will fish at and speed at which it fishes?

Or

(c) Something different from above?


Finally how does a good cast assist good presentation?

thanks

highlandfisher

[Speyducer]

If we assume that any presentation includes casts which are covering fish, then there are some well rehearsed fundamentals:

If you are covering fish at distance ie at the limit of your cast, however far that may be, and at whatever angle, then the initial presentation is critical.

A splashy presentation, in a lot of fly fishermen's opinions, puts the fish off from taking. I believe that although it may put the fish off, it doesn't always do this. However, aiming for as gentle an initial presentation should be the aim.

Once in the water, again in relation to where the fish are or are likely to be, if at distance then you want the fly to be 'fishing' properly as quickly as possible. If the holding water shows this to be deeper, then casting square or nearly 90 degrees across the river (in some cases even upstream a little) will allow the fly of whatever weight to be sunk faster than when you cast at 60 or 45 degrees, and then get down to present itself to the fish. If the holding water is shallower, or the fish are likely to come up for the fly, then having a tight connection between reel and fly as quickly as possible allows the fly to be correctly 'fishing' as soon as possible. Thus, full turnover of the fly line tip, and leader to the fly is paramount.

If the fish are lying more in the middle stream, and with either mending up or downstream as appropriate, will allow the current to present the fly at the optimal speed and depth for those fish.

The closer the fish are to the bank you are casting from, and the further down stream they are allows for the current and any mending/stripping to be done in order to present the fly best towards the end of the cast.

If you really cannot be sure where the fish may be, then cast and fish to present the fly as if they are out at distance, and the fly will be best presented for the greatest possible time.

Mike

[wilson]

Ultimately presentation is "how you make your fly swim in the water". It is a combination of angle, depth, and speed as well a the water type and many other factors too. You can have casts with huge downstream bellies that quicken the fly and if that's what you want to do, it's a good presentation.

A good cast is one that puts the fly where you want and sets up the swing such that it swims the way you want it. Before my year starts over here I tie on big white muddler and get up on a high rock streamside and practice various presentations. I can spot that muddler at a distance if I can get a good rock to get on. After tracking it in the water at various angles I have a better feel for what setup makes that fly do this or that.

Lastly, and not to take away the merits of casting well, my best ever Salmon came on the worst blown cast ever. Literally blown to the water 2 rod lengths out by an enormous downdraft. In just a "saver" move I took out some slack and let it come around. What happened after the rest of the slack came out of the presentation a "Leisenring Lift" was the end result. A very large Matapedia fish chased my Magog Smelt up the water column and became attached. Fly never swung towards the bank. Who knew?

-Chris

[Willie Gunn]

speyducer said:

If the holding water shows this to be deeper, then casting square or nearly 90 degrees across the river (in some cases even upstream a little) will allow the fly of whatever weight to be sunk faster than when you cast at 60 or 45 degrees, and then get down to present itself to the fish.

Mike

I have always thought the complete reverse.
Casting at 90 degrees on more keeps the fly higher in the water as the line excerts a pull on it moving it quickly through the water. To get a fly deep down I throw a long line at a narrow angle, so the cast might be 35yds but is only 15 yards from my bank.

[sinkingtip]

Hi Malcolm - interested in your comment about a 90 degree cast not fishing as deeply as one cast at a "narrow angle". In my experience which, granted, may not be as extensive as yours, I have always found that in order to acheive maximum depth, of course, depending on the pool, that a square - ish cast coupled with a big initial upstream mend usually gets the fly down deeper than the conventional 45 degree throw ...... but I could be wrong and quite happy to bow to your superior knowledge.
Best regards
STip

[Willie Gunn]

I suppose it depends where you are fishing, if fishing a river like the Tweed with little flow I suppose the length of time the fly is out takes it down further, but if fishing a proper river like the Spey the current acting on the line will speed the fly up and cause it to lift.