northwest illinois fly fishing help

I need of some one on one help using and setting up with proper technique. Already have a good flyrod anf flys but cannot seem to cast. Looks like fun for gills and base in some local ponds. Put a fly under a bobber on a spinning rod and fish bit that but couldn’t seeem to get my system out over 10 foot. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Hmmm, thanks for reminding me…I think I’m to be fly fishing with someone today! Opps!

What weight fly rod and line do you have? Also what type of fly line is it? Weight Forward, double taper, level? Less important would be the lenght of your rod.

After re reading your post, I need some clarification. Are you putting a bobber on your “fly rod” and not being able to cast? Or do you have a spinning rod that won’t cast more than 10 feet and a fly rod that your haveing problems with too?

I have a 6 weight fly rod 9 ft long. Floating line , and guessing weight forward. I could cast better with the fly rod with the bobber on than i could with just a fly. Thought it should cast over ten feet myself. IS the rod to heavy should be a good rod St.Croix pro. And why do you have fly line then leader then tippet then fly. Any other help would be appreciated, think it would be fun for panfish this time of year. Thanks.

a 6wt might be a little heavy for gills, but it should work, keep the wrist straight with your forarm and 10 and 2 from the elbow. the best way is to get someone to show you it is hard online like this, a 4 or 5wt might be a little better for gills and smaller flies, but I use my 6 for Bass, crappies and gills myself.

I have a 9′ 3 weight with DT line (not really a DT guy in all honesty) with about a 7.5 leader and probably 5x tippet for blue gills (and trout for that matter). I’d suggest pulling out about 25 feet of line, start small, and false cast until you have all of your line out. I see lots of beginners struggle with casting simply because they don’t have enough line out. Once you have enough out, you don’t really need to false cast much to get your fly back out to the fish. Simply lift it up and power it out there. Tight loops, 10-2 (11-1) acros the dial, not up and over 11-12-1 to 2 – straight across; get your line all the way back before you come forward and vice versa – TIGHT LOOPS. I liken it to pushing and pulling more than anything. Hope this makes some sense .

Regards,
D.A.

Don’t forget to keep the bobber off!

Remember your casting the line and not the lure…DA’s advice is right on….I don’t know how a person can explain it better than that…although it sounds confusing…it really isn’t.

I used a 8 weight for years on gills. It was the only rod I had and it was given to me at that. Still have it by gum… I prefer a 6 for wind on the lakes however if it’s calm the 4 comes out. Kinda like using light and ultra light in the spinning world.

You didn’t say if your line was matched to your rod…do you know what weight it is?

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And why do you have fly line then leader then tippet then fly

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When you’re casting the heavier fly line the lighter tippit will be the last of the line to hit the water..then of course the fly. Having a tappered leader is more important in trout fishing than gill fishing…get yourself some limp 4 or 6 lb test mono and tie on 7 to 8 feet. Once you get the hang of casting down…start using bass bugs or want to fish trout…they worry about tappered leaders and tippits.

You can practice in your yard…just cut the hook completly off the fly….it doesn’t hang up in the grass and it’s easier on the ears if your cast goes arye