How To Make A Switch Cast - S5 E12
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- In this episode of RIO's "How To Fly Fish" series, Simon Gawesworth explains how to make a Switch cast. The Switch cast is one of the most important Spey casts to master, as it forms the foundation for all Spey casts. Learning, practicing and mastering this cast sets a Spey caster up for a lifetime of Spey success.
In this film Simon goes over the critical elements of the Switch cast, and explains the importance of the anchor position, as well as the difference between a straight anchor and a crumpled, or piled anchor. In addition, Simon shows some of the commonest mistakes casters make when they practice the Switch cast, as well as showing what a perfect Switch cast should look like.
#flyfish #flyfishing #learntoflyfish
The advice and tips in this film provide an excellent foundation to build from, and show how to easily achieve consistency with your Switch cast.
RIO's "How To Fly Fish" videos are a series of short films that explain all you need to know to learn a particular way to fish or cast. Where applicable, each film talks through the gear that you need, shows how to rig the gear, how to read the water, and how to fish that particular technique. These educational films are packed with information and top tips designed to improve the knowledge and skill level of all fly fishers. Each one is bought to you by a RIO employee or a RIO brand ambassador.
I could listen to Simon talk about casting all day. I really like the overhead angles & orange fly line to help illustrate what he is demonstrating.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting. We'll let Simon know you enjoyed it.
I love simon - very easy to understand his instruction and very down to earth.
How lucky we are in the sport with such a tremendous communicator. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Suggestion 🤔
I would like to watch one clip dedicated to the fundamentals or principles of fly casting.
Also exercise or drills on how to control the dominant hand memory muscle please.
Thank you Rio!!
Great suggestion!
Simon, you are a master caster, but you are an even better teacher. Unbelievable content. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting. We'll pass your comments on to Simon
Simon's casting videos are the best! Simply superb!
Thanks for your kind words!
I've been practicing the switch cast very intently now for about 4 months and this video couldn't be more helpful, the speed with which the rod moves back towards the caster is a key variable. The fault I have overcome in all these months was a tendency for the anchor to form behind me. I now use a push off from my left foot when my right hand is on top and I find this really helps a lot in making the anchor land even with me or in front of me where I want it. I've also overcome a problem with creep which I think is a very common fault in people learning the switch cast.
It takes al ot of practice to master this one, but the hard work pays off in dividends!!!
Simon for president! Thank you Simon.
Well done, thanks. The top view footage is very helpful.
This video is excellent! I could never perform a good switch cast until I watched this. I'm on my way to Newfoundland in a couple of weeks for Atlantic Salmon. Can't wait to try this out!
Amazing! Best of luck!
Great Explanation......best teacher ever!
Thank you! Simon is awesome!
Cheers Simon. Great advice! Best wishes from Wales.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks. We'll pass your comments on to Simon...
very nice details finally some great camera work where we can see everything
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting.
This is just excellent!!
Probably one of the best demonstrations I’ve seen. But no one mentions that the spey line has two colors to it. To let you know when to stop stripping line and begin your cast!!
Great visual.
Suggest that you emphasise two key elements.
When lifting the rod you need to start slow and gradually accelerate. Most anglers who struggle will lift the rod too quickly and automatically get slack in the back cast.
Secondly. The rod tip must be pulled back at the same level… horizontally… if the rod tip drops it will result in the leader hitting the water in a “bow”. To ensure the best cast the leader needs to hit the water horizontally.
You are welcome
Is the the starting cast to learn for a beginner switch rod owner ?
excellent thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting.
Thank you sir
Excellent
Thanks Don!
Great video, thank you Simon! I have a question. I use the OPST Skagit head with a floating tip. Would that be close enough to a Scandi setup so I can practice the Switch cast? Or do I really need to buy a real Scandi setup? All of my spey casting lines are OPST Skagit heads with different floating and sinking tips…
You can certainly still practice with this set up, however your timing will change (slower) when switching to a full scandi outfit.
Okay, I'm very new at this. Very new.... When you say that the junction of the fly line and leader is what you're aiming for to land in the zone, does that mean the junction of the fly line and the Versileader/Polyleader or the junction of that and the leader tippet? I'm struggling, but these videos are incredibly helpful! Thank you for presenting them.
No problem, junction of fly line and poly-leader! Good luck in your learning!
@@RIOPRODUCTS Thank you! It wasn't clear to me whether the Polyleader was considered an extension of the fly line or of the leader. Slowly, but surely...… I'll get this!
Can use this if I standing on land?
Or how should I cast if I have no water besides me, (Just anker in front) ?
You can if there is no raised bank behind you - las in a flat gravel beach - that would work just perfectly as long as your anchor was in front of you.
So when to use the switch cast over the single spey?
Use the switch cast for practice or if you need to straighten out your line below you before you make a change of direction cast.
@@michiganriverswingers5732 So the switch cast is not a presentation cast?
@@FlyFishingChronicles because there is no change of direction to speak of, it’s not a fishing cast.
Michigan River Swingers got it dead no - no directional change, and to build a solid foundation of airborne anchor Spey casts.
I’m very new to this so my question my be a dumb one! Simon indicates to start with your fly line straight on the dangle downstream of you (essentially along tge near river bank). It looks like the switch cast then places the fly again along that same near river bank after the cast. I know tge switch cast is not a change of direction cast but how do I reposition the final location of my fly after the cast to be across the river and very slightly downstrean so that I can start the swing of my fly? I am just starting so please fon’t laugh! My questions are so basic! I am using a Rio SSVT with the fliating body and floating head for my practice sessions with a short mono tippet with a piece of yarn tied to the end for my practice. Thank you! Dave
No stress! This is just for demonstration purposes. When you're making your final cast you would rotate your body more towards the opposite river bank at a 45 degree angle facing downstream. Then your fly will be in a great position to start swinging immediately and get in the zone. Hopefully, this makes sense. Cheers!
How much line do you keep out of the rod tip?
There's a color change in the line that will signal how much to keep out. On our Elite Switch Chucker line it's at 25 feet. Cheers!
@@RIOPRODUCTS thank you!
@@rejectthereset8480 Absolutely!
Wow!
Thanks Josh!
5:30 - fish jumps in background near Simon's head.
Other than slightly different equipment, isn't this basically just a roll cast?
How is this different from a single spey cast?
Essentially in that the Switch cast is not a directional change cast, whereas the single Spey is
@@RIOPRODUCTS Thanks for the help!
I don' see much of a difference with a simple roll cast..m
I would recommend having the anchor in front of you more.
In tight spaces that is an excellent observation, but if you have the room behind you for a large D-loop, the anchor placement shown here will give you the most efficiency of cast.
@@RIOPRODUCTS hmm that is in total contrast to what the guys do at speyorama
That's true, @@robertwest7197, but those competitors are only using a switch cast to reposition the starting point of their line - making sure they get it within bounds before the single Spey or snake roll that is actually the competitive cast, is made. Also, they do have a fence/barrier behind them that prevents them from having the largest of D-loops. Just as an FYI...
@@RIOPRODUCTS I think you should see Travis Johnson’s Video ( Catching more steelhead episode 1 fundamentals of a Spey cast). I’m also mentored by a speyorama caster who also teaches the same principle and along with no dipping on the sweep. Not trying to argue at all but I just see a discrepancy which makes learning more difficult with unnecessary or in efficient elements. I’ve been at this a.very long time and have gone through the learning curve via lessons and every casting video on you tube or have bought them only to find out much is incorrect or not as accurate as it should be.
There is a “critical 📐angle” between the line and the rod shaft or rod tip The angle goes from 180 for longer cast and 90 for short distance.
Mechanically speaking, the most efficient angle to load a fly rod effortlessly deeper and more efficiently to cast farther it’s the angle closer to a 180, the 90 it’s also very efficient and a good caster can effortlessly shoot a good amount of lie by simple doing a short basic roll cast.
If we want distance we need to bring that angle closer to the 180. It can only be achieved by placing the anchor in a more dynamic cast form slightly farther behind caster side to allow the rod tip and line to travel closer to the horizontal 180 for longer stroke and not anchored in front of the caster side close the vertical used with short strokes for basic roll cast.
If you picture a baseball pitcher like, Gerrit Cole, Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander is easy to understand why they try to bring the ball as farther back as possible can.
Hope it makes sense.
Mag