So this is the Circle Spey, or Circle C. I’ve heard both names and I use both names and it’s the same cast. It is a cast that you use in similar conditions as the Single Spey, ie an upstream wind (for some unknown reason I say “downstream” in this video – this was a deliberate error to see if you were paying attention – in five years and thousands of App Downloads not one person has mentioned it :p ). Of course, as in this video, when there is no wind, then you have the choice of using any cast you want! So just to be clear the anchor position is determined by the wind direction and because you always want to place the D-loop downwind of your body, the Circle C is used when there is an upstream wind.
There are three movements: 1 The rod tip draws a circle finishing with the rod tip back at the starting point, this positions the fly and anchor point up and out stream of the angler. 2 The rod tip is swept from a low to a high point setting up the D-loop. 3 the forward cast is executed.
Things to remember – start with your feet and body oriented towards the target, and not the dangle. The circle C movement should be large and deliberate. The Sweep is a smooth upward lift with the rod tip. And the rest is as you have already been doing.
We’ve talked about this before – there are “airborne” anchors and “waterborne” anchors. Can you guess which this one is? That’s right; it’s a waterborne anchor. And why do we use this? For stabilising heavy flies and sink tip lines. One further advantage of this cast is that it can be used for picking out a sunken fly line.
If you need help then please either ask on the Board or drop me an email. Yes I am busy: I fish every day, I manage Sexyloops, I guide and teach fly fishing and I design and sell our Hot Torpedo fly rods – but I will answer!
Cheers, Paul