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How to Tie a Balloon Indicator 2:58 (Streaming) 4.9MB (Click Image to Start...) |
The balloon indicator is an excellent way to nymph at extreme distances, particularly with a spey rod. It is also unsinkable in pocketwater. |
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9:35 (Streaming) 9.9MB (Click Image to Start...) |
Braided Loops are an amazingly useful thing to have on hand, but unfortunately in order to have good ones, you need to make them yourself. I explain the technique needed in the video. I am much indebted to Dan Blanton for his excellent tutorials and advice on this rare and useful flyfishing skill. For those not familiar with uses for braided loops, this may seem like an odd video. Let me explain. Braided loops are used to lock shooting heads - and complex spey lines - together. Although they look and sound very rough going through the guides, the knots are amazingly resilient, especially when made with 50# material. I use braided loops all the time now - including on the backs of my trout lines. As I explain in the video, the loop can be any size, and large loops are an excellent way to swiftly switch out lines on a reel on the go. I hope you'll get a lot of out the video and if you have questions, as always, bring them to the Board. |
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0:53 (Streaming) 2.5MB (Click Image to Start...) |
Davy Wotton is an Arkansas guide who hails from the UK. His "Davy Knot" is an excellent near-100% knot that works best for small flies on light tippet. |
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How to Tie John Wilson's Trout Crack 2:56 (Streaming) 6.6 MB (Click Image to Start...) |
John Wilson is a well respected and extremely successful Arkansas guide. His specialty is large trout on small flies - and his Trout Crack is among the best patterns ever invented for that purpose. For best results, use Trout Crack in sizes #14-20 with 6x or smaller tippet and the Davy Knot. Trout Crack Please watch the video for specific tying intructions. |
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Rod: South Bend Cahill 8' 6/7wt
Line: Orvis Zebra 6wt Cast: 40' (no haul) 1.6MB (Click Image to Begin) |
Back in time again; this is a cast from Fall 2004. In this cast no haul is used. This is a good example of how different stroke lengths can affect loop size, particularly in the backcast. The caster's forward loop is good, a tight loop with a slight downward angle, appropriate for a 40' cast. The backcast loop occasionally needs work. The elbow unconciously drifts upward on the better backcasts. This is a good thing. In order to carry more line without throwing a tailing loop, the length of the stroke must be extended. Here, the caster could extend the stroke length even more by elevating the elbow, driving the hand backwards approximately the length of the forearm. Hope you enjoy, and as always, bring your casting questions | |
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Rod: R.L. Winston 9' 5wt
Line: SA Mastery XXD Comp 5wt Cast: 106'6" 4.8MB (Click Image to Begin) |
We're jumping ahead to summer 2005 here - I get a lot of requests for this video and I didn't want it to lurk offline for too long. While a 106' cast with a five weight is certainly long, I can do a little better now and just need to find the time to record myself again. I have been holding out for a better camera, (preferably one with a remote so I don't have to run back and forth) but that is still a ways away. Hope you enjoy, and as always, bring your casting questions to the Board. |
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Rod: South Bend Cahill
8' 6/7 wt
Line: Orvis 6 wt Zebra line Cast: 65' 0:23 1.05MB (Click Image to Begin) |
This cast shows evidence of poor tip tracking. Notice that the backcast is tilted on a forty five degree angle. This is a hallmark of the "Belgian" or elliptical style of casting, and is not necessarily a casting flaw. Also, the open stance allows for comfortable fishing and a nice long stroke. Notice also, however, that the forward cast fails to return to the vertical plane as it should. This is a casting flaw, likely to result in curve casts (in this case to the left), and a loss of distance. |
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All right, you've found The Itinerant Angler video archive. Congratulations. The videos stored here come in three varieties:
1) Casting Video
This is where I store my videos of my casting sessions. These videos go back a few years and you should be able to see some development. I've included analysis *written at the time the video was made.* In some cases I misdiagnosed my own problems, and you may be able to get something out of that. If you have casting questions, please bring them to the Bulletin Board.
2) How-To Video
I often get asked to demonstrate a particular knot, fly tying technique, or other fishing technique, and I often resort to video to better explain my sbject.
3) Fishing and Travel Video
This video tends to be a little more eclectic but you may find it amusing.
Videos will display blog-style in reverse chronological order (the newest are at the top).
Have fun,
Zach Matthews,
Editor, The Itinerant Angler
