More than a short leader you need a leader with a large diameter. If you have 5 feet of 6 pound mono you will not fish the popper, you will dig it out of your shoulder once in a while.

See a casting instructor-- and choose one wisely. Not necessarily always your local fly shop although sometimes that has to do.

Here is what I typically do: About 2ft of 20lb test tied to the fly line, followed by a 3ft 10lb test section. basically a simple tapered leader.

See a casting instructor-- and choose one wisely. Not necessarily always your local fly shop although sometimes that has to do.

This is kind of long and rambling. Sorry in advance.

I went out fishing a local pond this morning and although I didn't catch anything, it was quite a learning experience. As I said in another thread, I just started fly fishing a few weeks ago and have a 9 foot long 6 weight fly rod. In the past, I have fished with grass hoppers, poppers and other assorted dry flies and streamers in sizes 6-12. I have had no real problem casting any of these when I use the right technique. Basically, when I do my part, the flies go pretty close to where I was aiming. I know that with practice I will get better. I am far from a professional, but at least 8 out of 10 casts could be classified as a success, or at least not a failure.

I did however have a major problem this morning. Once I tried the above flies, I tied on a Betts Bass Bug that I got the other day. I was going to throw it near some aquatic vegetation, but I immediately had trouble. I couldn't cast the thing worth a darn. If I tried to cast any further than about 15 feet, the fly acted really weird. When the back cast reached its rearward peak, it kind of felt like a rubber band was popping (if that makes any sense. That is the best way I can describe it. It felt like the line went slack, and then all of the sudden tightened up and came forward quickly.) This resulted in the bug accelerating forward faster than the line and everything getting tangled. The line would cast out forward, but the bug would land right in front of me.

It seemed like the bug might have been too heavy. Another thought I had is that my casting motion isn't smooth enough (which I know it isn't) and when I get the kinks worked out and become smoother the bug will cast correctly.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any advice? I am hoping all I need to do is keep practicing.