I have limited experience throwing fly line so I can't help with the line question. I can tell you that I have caught every species of tree Michigan has to offer though.

 

If you have been ctching trees on you backcast, you may want to learn the "roll cast." I am by no means an expert at doing it, but it is effective at making short casts when you have limited room for a backcast. Also, I have heard that a double taper line is best for effective roll casting. If you do a serach, you can probably find some roll casting instructions on the web somewhere. Good luck.

 

For a brief tutorial on how to roll cast, try this:
http://www.flyshop.com/Features/06-97Rollcast/

 

Weight forward is what most people use for their all-around line. Double taper lines are mostly utilized for delicate dry fly casting of smaller bugs. With the weight forward, you will have an easier time getting bigger flies to turn over in the cast...

HATCHBOMB

 

I can do that!! I think. I'll try it on the lawn tonite.
My fear is that I'll get hooked on this river stuff. I have been exclusively a boat/lake fisherman for thirty some years. The little bit of walking on the PM was really nice. The sound of the water is missed from a boat. Would have been nice if I'd caught one. I saw a few small ones jump. Could not get a hit.

I think I'll try it again. Thanks for the advise.

 

We'll make you a river rat yet!

 

RJF, you will be a river rat in no time. For me, there is nothing like fighting a big fish while you a standing in the water with it.

 

The roll cast is pretty easy. Just make sure that you realize that it is the tension on the line from the water that makes this cast possible. you won't be able to do a roll cast on your lawn very well, because there is no surface tension applied throughout the line. One way to get some practice at it would be to lay a brick on the end of your leader and try the cast then. This provides an idea as to what the tension is like on the water...

HATCHBOMB

 

couldve been worse, you couldve caught the tree then your wife. my wife wont go in the boat if I have my fly rod. oooppps........Matt

 

RJF,

I've used a majority of lines out there and for a good all-purpose line, I always end up going back to a DT line. Rule of thumb, go (1) line weight higher than that of your rod. (ex. if you have a 7wt rod as you described, go with an 8wt DT line)

Also, as many other have already mentioned, the roll-cast is a very good technique for casting in tight quarters. If you're going to be spending much time on the water in these areas, it's worth taking the time to learn how to do it. Lakes/ponds are good areas to practice (a lot fewer trees in the middle of a lake )

As with anything else, it just takes practice and a lot of patience.

Good luck to ya!


nymph