The Overcasting Trap: Why More Casting Isn’t More Effective

Hook:

Feel like you're working hard on the water but coming up short on hookups? You might be sabotaging your own success with one of the most common bad habits in Stillwater fly fishing—overcasting. In this episode, I’ll break down exactly why it kills your results and the five simple changes that helped me fix it for good.

Intro:

Welcome to the Stillwater Edge Podcast. I’m your host, Greg Keenan. With over 20 years on the water, I’ve learned one thing for sure—great anglers don’t just cast more, they cast smarter. And today we’re diving deep into a habit that quietly ruins countless days on the water: overcasting. Whether you’re new to stillwaters or a seasoned angler looking to level up, this episode will help you make every cast count.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

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  Why Overcasting Hurts Your Success:

  
  
  
  
  1. 
     

     It spooks nearby fish

     
     
  
  
  2. 
     

     It drains your physical and mental energy

     
     
  
  
  3. 
     

     It robs you of valuable feedback from each presentation

     
     
  
  
  4. 
     

     It causes you to cast past prime feeding zones

     
     
  
  
  5. 
     

     It creates the illusion of productivity while wasting time

     
     
  
  
  
  


• 
  

  Five Fixes to Fish Smarter, Not Harder:

  
  
  
  
  1. 
     

     Fan Cast Grid: Mentally break the water into pie slices and work each zone methodically

     
     
  
  
  2. 
     

     Observe After Each Cast: Let your fly settle and pay attention to what happens next

     
     
  
  
  3. 
     

     Count Down Your Fly: Give it time to reach feeding depth before retrieving

     
     
  
  
  4. 
     

     Change Retrieve Before Changing Location: Vary your animation before moving on

     
     
  
  
  5. 
     

     Set a Cast Limit Per Zone: Keep yourself honest and focused with a 3-cast rule

     
     
  
  
  
  

Outro:

Overcasting isn’t a rookie mistake—it’s a habit many anglers develop without even realizing it. But with a few adjustments, you can break the cycle and start fishing with intention. If this episode gave you something to think about, make sure to follow, rate, and share the Stillwater Edge Podcast. Got your own overcasting fix or a question about this episode? Shoot me a message. I’m always here to help. Until next time, I’ll see you on the water.