This is a leisurely cast and ideal for beginners because there is sufficient time between each part of the casting sequence to make corrections, or at least to diagnose problem areas. Used when there is a downstream wind or no predominant wind, the cast uses a waterborne anchor to allow a change of direction which can be up to a 90 degree casting angle.
The first part of the cast involves making an anchor by throwing the belly of the fly-line upstream of the casing position so that the anchor point is in the appropriate position for when the forward cast is made. When there are obstacles on the bank side which inhibit the formation of a D-loop, the fly-line can be thrown out towards the centre of the river. The position upriver can also be adjusted to suit the required casting angle. Some versions of this cast involve taking the fly-rod up almost vertically and then down to lay the line upstream but sweeping round is usually more efficient because it puts the line out further from the casting position and is easier to peel back during the second part of the cast. Whichever method is used the rod-tip should be almost touching the water at the completion of the first stage.
For the second stage of the casting sequence the rod-tip is kept low and swept back on a shallow sloping path, peeling the line back off the water as it travels. This need not be fast; otherwise the water resistance could be greater than necessary. The noise and size of the crest of water, formed when peeling back will give a good indication of whether too much energy is being used. As the rod-tip passes over the anchor point it can be raised more rapidly to form the D-loop. After allowing time for the D-loop to form and line up in the direction of the casting line, the forward cast can be made as normal.