A Technique Used To Cast Sinking Fly Line

[TomHughes]

The sinking line used with this casting technique has a 30’ or greater sinking, fast sinking, or super fast sinking head followed with intermediate running line.
EXAMPLE: Orvis Depth Charge Sinking Line (www.orvis.com);

If you are already fly fishing, use a roll cast to bring the line up on top of the water before starting the back cast.

Back Cast: All the sinking line should be just outside the rod tip and straight on the water surface. Start the back cast by moving the rod tip away from you in a lifting sidearm motion. The rod tip starts out at the water level and gradually moves in an upward direction to the center line between your shoulder and waist. When the rod tip is just behind your body, stop it abruptly. No hauling is necessary on the back cast with sinking line.

Note: A wide loop will form during the back cast. A tight loop with sinking line is counterproductive.

Forward Cast: Just before the line straightens out on the back cast keep moving the rod in a upward direction while rotating it from the sidearm position to an off vertical position (or on a 30 degree angle outside your head). When the rod tip is at approximately 11 o'clock, stop it abruptly. As soon as you see the loop of line start to unroll in front of you, release the running line in your hand. The force of the unrolling line should take out the running line (shooting line). Hauling on the forward cast will add some distance to your cast.

Doing this correctly will add distance to your cast. It will also stop you from having to 'chuck and duck' while using a sinking line.

Tight Lines,
Capt. Tom Hughes