Casting a long leader

Casting long leaders can be really challenging. In this Learning with the Pros tip, Brian Chan offers some tips on how to handle casting leaders that are more than 9' in length.

[@MapleGoodness]

Last year was my first go at indicator fishing with a relatively long leader. I've had some success and it's fun. One challenge I encountered was, I mostly fish from a float tube, which makes it a little tougher to handle thigns once out on the wter. I set up my rod, leader, fly, etc on land where it's easier, then I've got maybe 20 feet of leader to manage. Even with the tightest connecting knots (flyline to leader) those connections still don't really pass through the rod line guides all that well, so I am hesitant to reel the leader back into the rod, as it then is a challenge to get it back out of the rod tip once out on the water. I have tried leaving the leader out of the rod, but then that's a big tangle waiting to happen as I get myself into the float tube and get out into the water. In the end I generally found it easer to reel at least some of the leader back into the rod, and then once on the water, carefully maneuver the rod so I can reach the end (which means lowering the grip end of the rod into the lake, hoping I don't drop the rod or a section come off, dropping to the bottom of the lake lol) to allow me to pull the leader out of the rod end... then get back hold of the rod properly, maneuver the indicator to the right depth, and carry on. Long story short, any tips on a less cumbersome way to manage this?

[@waltcole6991]

I was talking to a couple of fly fishemen at my local club the other night about casting long leaders, they both said that I need a tight loop to cast a long leader, I told them that they better Brian Chan that, and to watch this show. Say hello to Carlos T. and Hermann F.

[@justin-db7hw]

I guess when youre fishing 12 ft + down you dont really need to be able to cast far because you can get closer without scaring them.