10-12-2008, 08:55 PM
Fly casting is no different than any other skill or trade. It is learned by doing it. Experience. Practice makes perfect. Repetition.
In order to become proficient as a fly angler, one must experience the variety of situations the activity presents. Currents, winds, fly choice, fish location and activity, leader and line combinations, water type and size, etc. Each cast poses its own set of circumstances.
There isn't a book, video, or instructor on the planet that addresses them all, and each caster has his/her unique style.
Time on the water is what works, and if that time is with someone who can give pointers and teach, all the much better.
I leaned by going fishing every day that I could, making it the number one priority over anything else. Lucky for me, that was extremely often in my younger years, as it is today. I read a lot (no videos or you-tube then) and fished with a couple of very good anglers once in a while. Mostly though, I spent time ALONE on the water. I also was lucky to spend A LOT of days on the Henry's Fork (Ranch section), watching and learning from some of the very best of that era. (Lawson, Lempke, Kinsey, LaFontaine, Harrop, and a host of not-famous, yet excellent casters and anglers) We called it Dead Drift University! I was also lucky to guide one summer in Alaska with Steve Rajeff, and another with Mel Krieger's son Jan. Those guys could cast a whole fly line!
But, its not about distance. After 35+ years of fly casting, I still encounter unique situations nearly every time out when I need to make a certain cast in a certain way to get the take. Once you reach a point where the rod becomes as natural as just an extension of your arm, it does become very easy. It's like taking the fly between your thumb and index finger and placing it right where you want it!
[signature]
In order to become proficient as a fly angler, one must experience the variety of situations the activity presents. Currents, winds, fly choice, fish location and activity, leader and line combinations, water type and size, etc. Each cast poses its own set of circumstances.
There isn't a book, video, or instructor on the planet that addresses them all, and each caster has his/her unique style.
Time on the water is what works, and if that time is with someone who can give pointers and teach, all the much better.
I leaned by going fishing every day that I could, making it the number one priority over anything else. Lucky for me, that was extremely often in my younger years, as it is today. I read a lot (no videos or you-tube then) and fished with a couple of very good anglers once in a while. Mostly though, I spent time ALONE on the water. I also was lucky to spend A LOT of days on the Henry's Fork (Ranch section), watching and learning from some of the very best of that era. (Lawson, Lempke, Kinsey, LaFontaine, Harrop, and a host of not-famous, yet excellent casters and anglers) We called it Dead Drift University! I was also lucky to guide one summer in Alaska with Steve Rajeff, and another with Mel Krieger's son Jan. Those guys could cast a whole fly line!
But, its not about distance. After 35+ years of fly casting, I still encounter unique situations nearly every time out when I need to make a certain cast in a certain way to get the take. Once you reach a point where the rod becomes as natural as just an extension of your arm, it does become very easy. It's like taking the fly between your thumb and index finger and placing it right where you want it!
[signature]