So-called "shock waves" in fly lines during a cast are detrimental to both the distance and accuracy of the cast. I think these waves are generated in the line while it is in the guide train, not while the line is in thin air. Is there any way the number, placement, or size of fly rod guides could minimize the size or number of "shock waves" in a fly line while it is being cast? I am surprised that marketers have not addressed this problem.

Phil,
How do you know for sure that fly rod manufacturers have not addressed the issue?

I have felt that it's caused by rod "bounce" at the end of the forward cast and therefore not really anything to do with guide placement but with either the casting stroke or oscillation of the fly rod after the "stop."

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Marketers don't address problems. Engineers do.

Rod marketers and/or engineers have addressed much more intangible problems such as "feel" and "sensitivity" and "soulful action" to name but a few. Shock waves are concrete problems, visible to both the eye and the camera. They may be entirely the product of the expertise (or lack thereof) of the caster, but I can't help but hope that a better rod could at least minimize this problem.

Or playing with different lines to see which the blank or rod casts better with

What ever rod you are using -- try up-lining it and see if it helps Most of the time one is using the wrong line weight on said rod

Bill - willierods.com

Take any rod with which you are experience rod "bounce" or "shock waves" and have a half dozen good fly casters use it and note if the same bounce or shock wave appears. If it has anything to do with the rod, then the same shock wave should occur across the use of various persons casting the rod. If not, then it's not likely a result of anything to do with the rod.

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It is the person casting the rod

I never herd of any shock waves before If the rod did not cast well I changed the lime Wher does this stuff come up from anyway ???

Bill - willierods.com

Bill is correct.
Shock waves come from casting stroke. Try toning down your energy a little.
Or - lengthen your strike dramatically - like a sideways stroke pointing rod tip directly at back cast AND forward cast. You can use more energy with a longer stroke
Up-lining will work also because you are absorbing some of the extra energy with the weight of the heavier flyline.
Herb

Phil,
My experience is that the waves are caused by a poorly designed blank taper.
The improvements are all working around the problem.
Buy a blank with a better taper design.
Reduce inertia of the guides train.
Reduce acceleration of the casting stroke.
Many casters will not experience a problem as they don't attempt to "tighten" the casting loop.
If you're looking for performance, look elsewhere for your blank. The taper design will allow only so much before folding.


Gene

With what you have now If you have a few friends that fly fish try to find one heavier line and just try it You can also go lower Try to get a line for the blank and the way you cast

Bill - willierods.com

Although I am not a fly fishing fanatic, I enjoy fly fishing and have been doing it for a long time. However, this is the first time I have heard the term "shock waves" applied to fly fishing. What is it? Might have experienced it but never knew it due to my ignorance!
Norm

Reading his post again I started to wonder if what he is experiencing is dirty line and guides possibly rod If they are not clean and slippery the line maybe sort of sticking to the blank guides I usually clean the line two times during a 6 hour of fishing Less if catching

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
I don't think so. Lots of casters throw shock waves into their line.
What you suggest is same as controlling lines velocity with line hand. That would eliminate shock waves - not cause them.
Herb

Like said Never herd of shock waves before and that was just a thought ??

Bill - willierods.com

[www.youtube.com]

Pay attention to the rod tip during the slow motion sections.
The oscillations will rob some distance and can feedback to the reel.

Don Becker

Phil,
The upper tier of manufacturers is aware of the problem and has gone to considerable length to answer it.
Better more consistent taper designs, improved materials and construction methods, light wire guides at the tip, single foot guides where required. Sage, St Croix and G Loomis among others are touting improved dynamics (better damping and accuracy characteristics).
It might be possible to generally analyze the blank taper prior to build. Haven't tried it yet, but the taper design should be based on position of the center of mass of the bare assembled blank. Need to analyze some bare blanks to determine to distance from the butt to the assembled center mass. This may correspond to a ratio that could alert you of potential problems prior to building.

Gene

You probably can't see the shock waves in the line you cast but an observer or camera viewing the cast at a 90 degree angle can. I too suspect that taper design and the harmonics they produce in the rod blank may cause one rod to cast a smoother line than another. And shock waves can be viewed, recorded and measured, not just "felt" or "sensed" or imagined. I can still cast a fly line and some backing but I appreciate the tips.