What’s the single most beneficial thing a person can do to better enjoy fly fishing?
Get qualified casting instruction!
Fly fishing is much like Golf, there are different scenarios where a particular cast or approach is best utilized and one needs to be able to adjust for drastic changes in distance, weather and conditions. The actual mechanics of a cast or swing are pretty straightforward, however the subtleties that go into that “great” cast or swing are not easily conveyed or repeated in a consistent manner. That’s where truly understanding the mechanics of the movements and the concept behind what needs to happen is critical.
Everyone has a buddy or well-meaning passerby that offers advice based on what worked for them, or something they’ve heard and now are repeating. The industries are also full of self-proclaimed experts. Visit any fly fishing newsgroup, forum or blog and the question comes up from someone asking for advice on casting. The responses usually start flying about rod types, actions or overlining. The real issue is casting mechanics and can’t be diagnosed without much more information and seeing the cast in action by someone trained and qualified to diagnose it.
Fly fishing clubs are another resource people use however I can tell you from personal experience many of the clubs will bring in qualified instructors for events and sessions, which is a great idea until local club members hear a phrase or piece of a suggestion and then start teaching themselves which has mixed results… Ever play a game of Telephone as a kid? Well meaning “help” can be worse than no help at all, especially to people that are new to the sport.
There are 5 essentials that go into casting a fly rod. http://www.sexyloops.com/flycast/the-five-essentials/ As long as these 5 conditions are met a cast will be repeatable, smooth and accurate. However, learning the muscle memory for this is not easily done without in person, qualified instruction. Of course a lot of practice as well.
Sure, there are self help videos, books and you tube blurbs that have value but the issue comes into play when students really can’t tell what they’re actually doing, or think they’re doing something that they are not. People are unique so what works for one person may not be physically possible, or the best approach for another.
Also its important to note that practicing creates muscle memory. Practicing something that’s incorrect not only will frustrate the angler, or cause damage to joints/muscles but relearning the technique will be more difficult and take much longer.
Seek qualified instruction! At a minimum you’ll be less frustrated. Lessons are fairly inexpensive and range from 30 to 65 an hour. For the price of a fly line you can learn something that will pay off the rest of your fishing days.
What makes a qualified instructor?
Well, first off, they should be able to demonstrate a full range of casts and thoroughly explain why the line is doing what it’s doing in a way you can understand. There are various certifications for casting instructors that insure they have both the ability to not only cast but teach casting.
For instance, the FFI has a stringent set of standards certified instructors must meet. These are focused on teaching skills and communicating to students of all levels in a way that identifies their goals and helps them achieve those goals. Guides and fly shops offer “free” sessions however these are usually aimed at either getting you in the shop to buy gear or for a specialized fishing application. Neither do much to help you understand why things need to happen, and how. They do have value; however, they’re usually more focused on a specific task (buying something or casting well enough to catch a fish they walk you up to in the easiest possible way), rather than helping you understand the how’s and whys of a particular technique.
Do yourself a favor that will last a lifetime – Invest in casting lessons with a good instructor.
Jon
JB Fly Fishing 