I had written an article for the TBFFC Newsletter in March 2002 titled “Drift-Back for Greater Distance with Less Effort” That article described the drift-back as a means whereby the length of the casting stroke is increased appreciably for greater casting distance. A longer casting stroke makes carrying more fly line much easier. The procedure calls for a normal back cast stopping at about 11:00; (observer’s clock watching a right-handed caster from the right side), and as the fly line travels backward, the casting hand drifts toward the rear without power until it is well behind the caster.

In like kind, drifting forward at the end of the forward false cast yields a similar advantage in preparation for a longer casting stroke in the back cast. After completing the forward false cast, drift farther forward by slowly extending the casting arm toward the target and by leaning forward as the fly line progresses to the end of the forward false cast. Adding merely a few extra inches to the casting stroke with the drift-forward will create an appreciable advantage in preparing for a longer, more authoritative back cast.

Dan Lagace