re: The Fly Fishing Thread: Questions, pics, discussion all here

This is a good plan. have you been watching the casting videos?

LINK

EDIT: Also looks like this video is in the OP.

This is the video that I imitated to teach me how to cast. You don't have to watch the entire thing, the beginning has the basics, but I still watch this one a lot.

One thing I found useful when learning to cast was I first went to the park by my house just before dusk and put a little piece of yarn on the end of my leader and practiced casting at light or dark patches of grass, or anything that could serve as a target. You can get the basic motions down and get some distance, but accuracy will be just as important. Timing is everything. It is hard to teach and after a few hours of casting you just start to feel it (i.e. knowing when to bring your loop back and bring it forward, based on how much line is out). For this, I started off by letting out some line, not a ton, and only using one hand. I kept my index finger on the line and watched by back cast all the way through. This helped me get a feeling for my timing, and when I got comfy with that, I started using two hands to try and shoot the line. The effect of using one hand at first made it sort of like a Tenkara rod, which is a fly rod that doesn't have a reel and is accuracy-based (i.e. you only have a certain amount of line and have to pin point where to cast it). This was helpful for getting the feel for the mechanics.

This is a Tenkara casting video and kind of shows what I meant by starting off with one hand and getting the feel down.

LINK

This is just to try and visualize what I meant by starting off with one hand.

Is there really that much difference between the Allen kraken and the alpha iii

The Kraken has a sealed drag. The Alpha III doesn't. If its going to see a lot of saltwater use I think the extra $50 is worth it for a sealed drag. FWIW I found my kraken on ebay brand new in box for $150 if you are limited to a strict budget.

Should I get an Einarsson 8 plus or Tibor Signature Series?
Or any other recommendations around that price. I'm about ready to buy a new reel but can't make up my damn mind on what I want.

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You not happy with your Allen or what?

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I definitely am.

Just got my tax return in and I'm gonna splurge a little on a new combo

Touché. Not in the market now per se, but will be in 2 years when I move back to the coast. However, if I catch one on sale I can always find a reason to grab one.

Pretty good fishing on the flat by Fort Pulaski, but you will have to time it right. Casting at tailers in the flood tide is pretty kick arse. Never fished the area in a kayak, only a skiff or on foot.

Tybee has some of the most beautiful tidal marsh that I have ever seen. Was down that way last summer for a conference, but didn't get to wet a line. There was so much fishy looking water it was driving me wild.