As the host of the Fly Fishing Insider Podcast, I've had the privilege of exploring various fly fishing techniques and sharing insights with fellow anglers. Today, I want to dive into a casting technique for fly fishing in tight spaces the bow and arrow cast.
The bow and arrow cast is a game-changer when it comes to nymphing in confined areas. It allows for precise fly placement without the need for a traditional backcast, making it ideal for small streams with overhanging vegetation or limited casting room. At some point look on YouTube for a video of Joe Humphreys executing the cast. His technique is tremendous and you can learn quickly how deadly the cast can be at short and longer distances.
Rather than getting into the details of how to execute the cast, let me share four personal experiences where the bow and arrow cast proved invaluable:
Bow and Arrow Cast #1
My first successful execution of the bow and arrow cast was on a small tributary to a local reservoir in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had walked up the inlet and found several great beaver ponds that I was successful at pulling fish from. My dry dropper was set and working well.
However, when I went upstream and got into thick cover I was having all kinds of trouble casting. Albeit I had only been fly fishing a few months and was not the best at multiple casts. I recalled reading and seeing the bow and arrow but had never executed it. With a little beginner confidence, I stacked my line in my balm drew back the rod to a bend, and fired one between branches of a down log where I had seen a small trout. Shortly, thereafter I saw the take of the nymph and set the hook. I screamed like a little girl in excitement and that's when my love for the casting technique began.
A Meek Experience #2
On a recent trip to a small mountain stream in Colorado, I encountered a promising seam tucked under low-hanging branches. Using a conventional cast would have been impossible without snagging my line. I had tried roll casts and they couldn't get my fly into the feeding lane. I knew that the ticket to success was altering to the bow and arrow. The bow and arrow cast allowed me to accurately place my nymph right where I needed it. I was purely nymphing and could see a nice brown floating side to side eating nymphs under a low set of bushes on the far bank. I crept up from below, kneeled into the water, and launched a golden stone about 30 inches above him. Watching the stonefly drift, I saw him turn to it and that white jawline came about. Instantly I set and it was on with a beautiful 16-inch brown trout.
PA the Home of the Bow and Arrow Cast #3
While fishing a narrow, overgrown creek in Pennsylvania, I came across a deep pocket that screamed "big fish." The problem? There was barely enough room to move my rod tip, let alone make a full cast. The bow and arrow cast saved the day, enabling me to drop my fly with pinpoint accuracy. As I lined up my cast I had a bit of nostalgia reminiscing video footage in my head of Joe Humphreys shooting under the rhododendron. The result? A chunky rainbow that put up a fantastic fight in close quarters.
Rainbows and Bears #4
During a guided trip in Alaska, we were targeting rainbow trout in a tight run bordered by thick brush. I was struggling to get my fly where it needed to be due to the heavy growth. I was in a park and there were tons of bears so I had limited time and was required to keep my distance to avoid encroachment. Not that I wanted anything to do with these huge bears anyway. I moved to the bow and arrow cast, and within minutes, I was consistently placing my fly in the strike zone. The technique not only improved my success rate but also boosted my confidence knowing I could be more succinct and accurate in the limited time windows.
The bow and arrow cast has become an essential tool in my fly fishing arsenal, especially when nymphing in tight spots. It's a technique I encourage all anglers to master, as it can open up new fishing opportunities in places you might have previously passed by.
Remember, fly fishing is all about adapting to your environment and constantly learning new skills. Next time you're faced with a challenging casting situation, give the bow and arrow cast a try. You might just be surprised at how it can elevate your nymphing game.
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By Christian Bacasa
Host of the Fly Fishing Insider Podcast
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