Flyfishing 101

A Guest Column on the How to’s of flyfishing
Column - Casting for the beginner
  Flycasting is the art of placing an artificial fly in front of a fish so as to imitate its natural food. The fly is carried out by the fly line which is driven by a flyrod.
  Fortunately, basic casting is very easy to learn and anyone will be able to go fishing and catch fish after just a few minutes practice. The additional skills needed for more advanced casting can be learned later as your interest in flyfishing grows. Try and go to some organized casting clinics put on by competent flyfishers.
  Many a well-intentioned friend has passed on bad casting habits to a beginner.
  It is not necessary to have expensive equipment to start flyfishing. There are many inexpensive rod, reel and line outfits suitable for beginners. However, make sure that the rod is matched to cast the numbered line weight. The line must have a tapered leader, and a piece of bright colored wool should be used for the "fly". Eyeglasses or sunglasses should always be worn.
  Water is not needed to learn or practice casting and because grass is more available, it is possible to become a proficient caster in the "privacy of your own back yard."
  Flycasting consists of a number of movements, each with its own descriptive name, and all are simple to learn. The following lessons should be taken "one step at a time" and practiced regularly for short periods.
Lesson (1) Hand, Arm and Body Position
  Strip out ten yards of line, measured from the reel and lay it out in a straight line from the rod tip. Stand facing the direction of the cast with feet apart. Hold the rod with the thumb on top of the cork grip and with the reel on the bottom. Take hold of the line close to the first guide, pull the line down, place your thumb in your pants pocket and keep the line there during practice. Place the butt end of the rod in the sleeve of your shirt or jacket or use a large elastic band to prevent any movement of the wrist during casting. This usually comes as a surprise to people who have been led to believe that it is "all in the wrist". This locked wrist action is vital in learning to cast and most beginners will need a wrist restraining device.
 Important reminders: (1) Use matching equipment. (2) Avoid trying to cast too much line. (3) Avoid excessive power. (4) Avoid wrist movement. (5) Avoid any wrist snap. (6) Accelerate the rod tip smoothly. (7) Stop the rod solidly. (8) Stop the rod at the correct clock position (10 o’clock behind you and one o’clock in front of you). (9) Drive the line outwards, not downwards. In conclusion, it should be noted that this chapter is about basic beginners casting, which should allow fishing up to fifteen yards. However, as the majority of all fish are caught within this range, you are "in business" once you become reasonably efficient.
  From "Flycasting - Getting the Line Out," by Denise Maxwell in "The Gilly" compiled and edited by Alfred Davy.
Picture: Padre Kevin Longard, Chilliwack, BC
 

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