How to mend your fly line

While enthusiasts may be more drawn to the excitement of selecting the perfect fly or executing an impressive casting distance, mending is the unsung hero that can easily make or break the day's catch. If you go fly fishing on a river or stream, this is an essential skill to master.

What is mending your fly line?

Mending your fly line means flicking the line upstream, after the fly has landed on the water and has drifted in the current a bit, to ensure that your fly line does not drag the fly which makes it appear unnatural to the fish. 

The Purpose of a Mend

The purpose is simple: make sure your fly appears as natural as possible. If you don't mend in flowing water, you risk that your line will drag the fly which in turn makes it appear unnatural. In clear, flowing water like streams and rivers, you can clearly see this happening: your fly lands on the water, a trout approaches it and looks like its going to strike, then there's drag and the fly gets pulled by your line and... the fish instantly move away. So, in order to make your fly appear natural, it's vital to know how to mend your fly line.

Pre-Mend: Analyzing the Current

A successful mend is born from strategic planning. Before you even cast your line, you should dedicate time to understanding the river's current. Which section of the river are you targeting? Are there obstacles such as a rapid seam, or is there a promising pool that seems challenging to cast your fly into at the right moment? Spotting these hurdles in advance will allow you to plan your mend and optimize the outcome. A constant need to adjust a flawed drift will invariably eat into your chances of a rewarding catch.

The Art of Mending Your Line

Mending your line requires precision, and like with many things in fly fishing: practice. The essence of the act involves reducing slack in your fly line. A tighter line allows for a potent and efficient mend. The technique is straightforward - keep your line taut and slightly jerk your wrist in your desired mending direction. 

It's best explained in a video:

The Arsenal of Mending Techniques

A handful of tried-and-tested techniques can assist you when mending your fly line. Here are a few to consider:

• Reach-Mend-Cast: This approach necessitates casting towards a designated spot on the river, initiating your mend just as your fly is about to land on the water. It demands timing and practice, as premature mending can lead to subpar drifts.
• Wiggle Cast: This technique employs a distinct rod movement during the cast. Depending on the trajectory of your wiggle, you can simulate an upstream or downstream mend. It's especially effective when executing longer casts into sluggish water across the river.
• Quick Flick: A perfect starting point for fly fishing novices, the Quick Flick technique is simple but efficient. After casting, you immediately jerk in the direction you wish the fly to float. 
• Dead Drift: A strategy that calls for continuous mending, Dead Drift entails letting your fly flow naturally with the current. This imitates the movement of insects or baitfish, enticing fish who prefer less activity. Dead Drift requires careful monitoring of your fly line to ensure the drifts are as natural-looking as possible.

The Value of Practice in Mending

As with any skill worth mastering, practice is the cornerstone of effective mending. A recommended starting point is making short casts and observing the river's influence on your fly and fly line. Such observation will show you the drift dynamics, which in turn will lead to more precise mends. With consistent practice you'll witness a significant enhancement in your mending expertise, which is a crucial skill to be successful on rivers and streams.