Loading and Unloading the Fly Rod
(November 25,2011)
When the fly rod is loaded (or bent) the cast requires much less effort. In order to load the rod the angler must minimize the slack in the fly line. The weight of the fly line and the casting stroke together bend the rod. When slack is removed, the rod will bend against the tension or weight of the fly line. Places where slack can occur: 1) When lose fly line is on the water. With lose line, the caster must first remove slack. If not, the caster will use most of the casting stroke removing the slack and therefore reducing the time necessary to bend the rod. 2) Slack can be found between the first guide and the reel or hand. 3) Slack can be introduced when inadvertently letting line slip. 5) Slack can be found within a poor double haul. 6) Slack can be introduced with improper timing or pausing too long at the conclusion of the back cast and forward cast.
Once slake is removed, all one needs to do to un-load the rod or release the energy in the rod is to stop the butt section of the rod. The stored energy in the rod will be released and the line will go with very little effort!
