In one way or another, I’ve been teaching fly casting for over 20 years. I’ve taught it on river with clients I’ve guided. I’ve taught it with classes of 20 students. I’ve taught it with friends and family. I’ve taught my own boys. I’ve personally taken classes, read books on the subject, and watched plenty of YouTube videos. With great confidence, I can say there are good ways and bad ways to teach fly casting.

But don’t let not being the best keep you from showing someone how to enjoy fly fishing.

With that in mind, I’ve put together the seven steps I use when I’m first introducing someone to fly casting. The goal here isn’t to produce a competition caster. It isn’t to provide an outline for a formally certified class, either. My intention is to equip you: the dad, the friend, the volunteer with  a few ideas and with some confidence as you put a rod in someone’s hand for the first time.

1.  Meet the rod

Walk him through the parts of the rod. Explain the terminology: tip, butt, handle, guides, etc. Have them assemble it, ensuring the guides are aligned. This is a good time to mention that the rod was designed to flex along the plane that corresponds with the guides. Show him how to grip the rod. A “thumb on top” approach is objective and a good starting place.

2. A dry run

Without a reel or line, have him hold the rod up. Have him move the tip from the 11 o’clock to the 1 o’clock position. First, point out how little he has to move his arm, to get the rod tip to travel that distance. Reinforce that fly casting is about using this highly-engineered tool, not muscling the line out. Also, try to get him to feel the rod flex and articulate how and when it happens.

3. Body fundamentals

A cast will often go in the direction the caster’s hips are pointed. Have his feet, hips, and shoulders aim in the general direction he should be casting. Referencing how little movement is needed to move the rod, explain how most of the movement is going to come from a flex at the elbow and the muscles of the bicep moving the forearm. The wrist isn’t the primary mover: it is more of the “suspension” for the flexing rod.

4. Reel & line basics

Show him how to mount the reel, explaining how right hand casters generally employ a left hand retrieve. Have him thread the line through the guides so about 15 feet is out of the tip. Have him hold the tip of the line against the line that is between the reel and the first guide. This should illustrate the taper of the line, allowing you to explain that he’s throwing a weighted line designed to flex the rod. Also, highlight that the leader tapers and transitions down to a “fishable” diameter. This is a good time to talk about checking for wind knots, too.

5. 15′ and that is it

Remind him of the body fundamentals and stance. Walk the 15 feet of line out behind him. Have him cast the line forward from the 11 o’clock to the 1 o’clock position. Have him just let the cast die, letting the line fall to the ground. If it rolls out relatively straight, it is an opportunity to express how much of the job the rod does. Now, do it in reverse: have him pick up the line into a back cast. This is all about feeling the line load and flex the rod, so a little more/less line may be needed.

6. Back and forth

This is often the hardest part. Building upon the last step, explain that he needs to change directions from back cast to forward cast at the right time. Since he’s been focusing on feel and not visual cues, the sensation of the flex is the trigger. Of course, if this is not easy, have him turn his head (not shoulders) to add in another way to pinpoint the point at which he should transition from back cast to forward cast.

7. A full fly cast

At this point, put everything together by instructing him to follow the line down from the 11 o’clock position as it unrolls. A target is not necessary, and a relatively straight presentation is what matters. While there are probably a lot of messy aspect to the cast, problems can be more perceptible to him if fixing them makes a noticeable change in an actual cast.

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Miscellaneous:

• Water is better than grass since the surface tension “holds” the line and begins flexing the rod as you move into the back cast. However, water containing fish can lead to distractions… even if you aren’t using a real fly.
• Don’t use a fly. Not only is it safer, it reduces any distractions if you’re on water.
• Use the rod that they own, assuming it is suitable for
• Assuming it is appropriate, go “hands on” by putting your hand over his. This is a great way to connect the casting movements to the feeling of the rod loading. It is also  a helpful way to reinforce the stroke/stop/pause dynamic that can be tricky for new casters to sense.
• Remember to make it fun.  Turn it into a game. Don’t think you’ll ruin someone’s cast for life if he’s pragmatically thrashing around for a bluegill for an hour.

Next steps:

• Have him explain everything he remembers from last time.
• Line management skills, including pinching line with the rod hand, and holding/stripping line with the off hand.
• Work through the dynamics of feeding and shooting line, specifically how that slightly lengthens the stroke and the application of power.
• Address mechanics for improving accuracy at short distances.