Learning to shoot line is an extension of the Basic overhead cast. It merely enables you to extend the line to the area you are covering by increasing the amount of line you cast forwards.
In order to prepare to Shoot line you need to take off the reel more line than is needed for the basic Back Cast and trap the line between the cork handle and your index finger.
Note
This is where your rod and line need to be weighted correctly as a line too light for your rod will fail to project forward through the rings and will not have the subsequent weight to extend on the Forward cast .
At this point it is worth noting that when fly fishing there is no lead weight to help the angler cover his quarry at the preferred distance , there is only the fly line and various designs of line enable the flyer to do this.
In preparation of shooting the line, make sure that the line is straight to the rod. Raise up the rod from 7 O’clock to 1 O’clock as already practiced for the Back Cast and stop the rod at 1 O’clock.
Wait for the rod to load and tug the line and then begin your Forward Cast. When fully extended release your finger from the cork handle and the spare line will be pulled forward.
False casting is a further extension of shooting line and allows the flyer to gauge the real distance of the intended cast so as to present the fly at the required length. This is done by working more line out on each False Cast by opening up the index finger on each forward cast and then checking the line once fully loaded. This is aided by holding the surplus line in the other hand which will act as your anchor and accelerator. (See Learning to Double Haul)
This can be achieved on both the Back Cast and Forward Cast thus minimizing the disturbance that false or SHADOW casting has over the water.
Note
The objective of fly fishing is to cover your quarry at the required distance (Both Long and short) in the minimal time – if you can load the rod fully in two casts , this is better than achieving the required distance in 5 or 6 casts.
