The roll cast is the beginning caster's security blanket, but remains an extremely valuable technique throughout every fly fisherman's career.

It is best known as the cast to use if you have no room above or behind you for a conventional aerial cast. With it, you can present a fly even if you are backed up against a bush or an abutment.

The roll cast is taught as a first technique because, in addition to its value, it's easy to learn. You'll be operational in short order. There is no backcast — just a forward stroke (an exception to the rule) and, consequently, no need to hurry the roll cast.

Time to call on the roll cast

To put it simply, the rod is moved into a nearly vertical position, with part of the line bellied behind you. The front end of the line, plus leader and fly, remains on the water in front of you. A forward and downward movement of the arm and rod unrolls the line ahead of you on the water.

It is essential, in learning to roll cast, that you do so on water. The surface tension of water is vital to activate the rod's action. Grass is a poor substitute; the line will slide across it without the necessary friction or drag.