The variable casting stroke for the beginner  

 A variable casting stroke is essential to versatile trout fishing.  The racket is the instrument in tennis and the fly rod is the tool in fly angling.  An accomplished tennis player would never be able to reach his potential without using two different strokes…the backhand and the forehand.  The fly angler will be far more adept by using both stokes as well.

 When learning both strokes, as well as performing them I suggest that the angler try to keep the rod on a vertical plane, as opposed to a side arm plan.  With this the angler is less inclined to use more then the tip of the rod to perform the cast which is all that is needed to accomplish general stream and river dry fly casts.  The average distance of a dry fly cast on a stream or river is generally never more then 20-25 feet.   As the aforementioned states,  to perform a 20 foot cast it takes a minimal range of motion with the rod, utilizing basically the tip of the rod…hence the tip cast. 

 When performing a forehand or backhand stroke using a side arm plane it is very easy to increase the range of motion of the stroke;  Therefore using more then the tip of the rod.    This is counter productive for the cast as it will generally open up the loop, decrease line speed and in turn decrease accuracy.

 There are no doubt advantages to a side arm cast as they are needed to perform casts that are targeting prime lies and trout under tree limbs and the like.  A forehand side arm stroke is also the preferred stroke for a positive curve cast.  However when learning the backhand and forehand it is suggested to make the cast with the rod on a vertical plane.  This will allow the angler to realize the need for minimal range of motion in the casting stroke and also help the accuracy of the cast!