The previous post on Casting Across explored a few quick ways to practice casting. Anyone and everyone should feel like it is okay to head out to the yard and work on fly casting. When it comes to form, there is some that is certainly better than others. When it comes to habits, there are some that are good and some that are bad. But for the vast majority of your fishing all that matters is getting your fly where you want it.
As you practice fly casting (or as you pay attention to how things are going on the water), you will inevitably notice some shortcomings. It might be literally coming short of your target. It might be an accuracy issue. It might be that you struggle when there is an obstacle, when the current is fast, or when your fly is heavy.
At this point, it is time to look for help. In the last article I gave two, simple resources. Today I want to share a few more options for improving your fly casting. Here are four places to look to become better with a fly rod:
Personal Instruction
If you could improve your distance by 15′ or be able to hit your target with 50% more accuracy… how much would you pay for that? Casting instructors aren’t miracle workers, but someone who knows what they’re doing, knows how to diagnose what you’re doing wrong, and knows how to communicate the fix is invaluable.
Your local shop or lodge might have instructors on staff, but a great resource to probe is the Fly Fishers International “Find a Casting Instructor” tool. For what would probably cost less than a good bottle of bourbon, you could be well on your way to immediate results.
Lessons with a Guide
If you struggle with wrapping your head around hiring a casting instructor, this option comes in at a close second. Most guides I know would be more than happy to spend an hour working with you on your mechanics. Not only will it help you, but it will help them help you when they’re trying to put you on fish for the rest of the trip.
Just don’t spring this on your guide. Certainly don’t ask them as you’re pulling into the boat ramp. A you book your trip see if this is an option and be particular about what kind of help you’re looking for.
YouTube Tips
There are thousands of casting videos to be found on YouTube. Honestly, there are probably some incredibly good options put together by some guy in his backyard. But these three provide consistent quality and diverse content:
- FFI Casting Videos – A good mix for beginner and advanced anglers.
- Orvis’ How to Fly Cast – Couple this with their YouTube channel and it is probably the most comprehensive video resource set out there.
- Lefty Kreh on “Hooked Up” – I don’t know much about the channel, but they have about a dozen videos featuring legendary casting instructor Lefty Kreh.
The Bookshelf
How can pictures and words help you do something as dynamic and physical as fly casting? Personally, I retain certain phrases and points of emphasis that I read incredibly well. Those pointers, coupled with appropriate corresponding photography, pop into my head as I’m practicing and fishing. Here are three good books that will absolutely help you if you’re picking up a rod for the first time, you’re trying to go from a B- to a B+ in one technique, or if you want good language to teach others:
- Perfecting the Cast: Adapting Casting Principles for Any Fly-Fishing Situation, by Ed Jaworoski
- Fly-Casting Fundamentals: Distance, Accuracy, Roll Casts, Hauling, Sinking Lines and More, by Lefty Kreh
- Joan Wulff’s New Fly-Casting Techniques, by Joan Wulff
Have a great fly casting resource? Let me know in the comments below.