Wind Knots & Tailing Loops

Home watching grandson's lacrosse team advance to state final with a convincing win. Ride home was in light traffic on an interstate strewn with yearling deer carcasses, sad. Dr.'s appointment went well and he scheduled me for my next appointment in six months so I guess I can buy green bananas.

Dennis asked about the wisdom of making long distance casts. Since we are both archery hunters, I'll try to use that as an example. I'm a lousy shot, so I set up my stands where I can reasonably expect a shot at twenty yards. I have never killed a deer with a shot of over 30 yards. Good archers are comfortable shooting at greater distances but the longer the shot the greater the chance of a miss or worse yet wounding a deer. In fly fishing the same rules apply but with less severe consequences. The longer the cast the more variables that prevent you from getting a drag free float down the fish's feeding lane (wind, current and casting skill among others). On the plus side, the consequences of a errant long cast do not result in the wounding of a fish, you have simply announced your presence and lost the battle. It's fun to make long casts and when one results in a hookup it'll make your day.  

Dennis - I use Trouthunter  12foot 5x finesse leaders to which I attach about three feet of 6x tippet. Sometimes when you have tied on numerous new tippets the leader gets out of balance and doesn't turn over properly. The wind also influences everyone's ability to turn over a cast.

Jim N. - Asked about fly patterns. As most by now know, I tie my own flies. I do not copy fly patterns. I copy the flies that are hatching. Bring them home, leave them over night in the fridge and then set them down in front of me to copy. Some think I catch fish because of the flies, others who have seen my work at the tying bench, feel I would catch more fish if I learned how to tie.