Casting in the wind

I'm new to this board and also a new fly fisher. After fishing with terminal tackle for many years I have decided to try fly fishing for a new experience. I have not been fly fishing long and the times I have been out I have had a hard time with the wind. I realize the wind can be bothersome making it very hard to cast. Does anyone have any helpful hints or technics for casting in the wind that would be helpful. Thanks!

When I am trying to fish when it is windy I'll see if there is a way I can cast with the wind. If there is not and my style of fishing permits, then I will use a weightd fly to give the cast a little more speed. Shooting head lines can also heald as dose a heavier rod.

Thanks for the tips!!! Its kinda frustrating wearing your line every other cast because of a sneaky gust of wind but it sure makes you look styl'in... can't quite get use to that hook in my head though...

With winds, a weighted fly really won't help you much, will actually hurt your cast. They throw off your cast in first place, losing rhythem. They won't flow like they should. Now, if you want to rocket sinktips, that will help the problem. You will want to stay away from bulky flies, keep it simply. Plus, even weighted, a good gusty wind will move that fly. More chances to get impaled by that fly since it has weight added to the pull (besides the line). Trust me, I've experienced it back in the days I' used weighted flies.

What you'll need to do is get to know your rod. If you have a moderate action rod, you may have a problem. Where a fast action rod will help you most. But you'll really want to load that rod with a strong double haul. Keep the line low. I normally will sidecast. You won't always be able to beat the wind. If anything, keep a spare spool loaded with windcutter line. It does hold it's name. Mostly because it's an extremely heavy grain head. Basically like a sinktip, just a floater instead. LOL. It helps out, especially the rookies out there. I haven't been flyfishing long, only about 23 years, so many out there with more experience and better techniques. It's what I've been told and shown how to do. It's worked good for me. Key is knowing your rod, and how it performs. I know casting a more limber loading rod will make it harder to make a strong cast against the wind. Sometimes it helps too, to move up a line weight or two rod.

Where are you at in Olalla? I used to be a UPS driver out there. May have seen me, depends on where you live. My route never went above Mullenix road. But delivered almost everything under it to the Gig Harbor line.

Boy, The error in my technic is becoming clearer. Thanks for alot of really helpful info Steelheader69. Fly fishing is a whole new ball of wax for me and the help is appreciated. I live on Nelson rd. I'm sure you delivered to my house a time or two. Thanks again!

You weren't too specific about the problems that wind is causing you. There is no magic solution to casting directly into the wind; concentrating on technique is the best answer, keeping the cast low helps since the wind is usually a little less fierce right at the surface. When the wind is coming from your casting arm side, a side-arm cast is helpful, but when the wind is too strong for that, tilting the rod to move the rod tip to the downwind side of of your body is the best solution. That way the wind is always blowing the line, leader and fly away from you. It may seem difficult at first but, with practice, becomes second nature.