Let the fly rod do the work for you
It's never too late to learn efficient fly-casting, but earlier beats years of bad habits
The saying is it’s never too late to learn. True as that might be, it feels suspiciously like a comforting mantra for those of us who failed to pay full attention when we were younger.
Such is my condition as a person who enjoys flyfishing. I’ve never claimed to be a true or dedicated fly-fisher, but I sure enjoy it, and I have for quite some time. I’m sort of a 35-year rookie.
In 1986 I’d made it clear to the fine folks of Fairbanks, Alaska my intent was to write about the great outdoors often as I could even though most of my official beat was covering the U.S. Army garrison at Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base.
Naturally, a man with a local angling group was interested in encouraging young soldiers and airmen to take up fly fishing and he reached out to me to write a column. To my shame, I can’t remember his name or the group but, hey, it was 35 years ago.
What I will never forget is wading into the clear waters of Piledriver Slough with my brand new graphite Fenwick Eagle 9-foot, 5-weight combo (which I still have), the classic pool located on an outside swing in the creek below a shallow riffle, and how easy it was to “get my line out there” with a basic roll-cast that I lifted into an overhand four-part cast. That, and how after just a couple of tries I had an Arctic grayling jumping at the end of my line.
And so I became one among the encouraged and remain so to this day.
There’s learning, and there’s learning
I have learned by bits and pieces along the way. I’ve donned my costume, reminded myself of the knots I’ll use, and fished alongside many who are the real deal on many, many occasions.
I’ve yet to meet a fly-fisher who isn’t generous with tips and instruction.
I’ve walked along a small creek with Dave Whitlock and covered a seminar led by the late great Lefty Kreh. I’ve picked up a few things and I can cast a fly out to where it needs to go, usually.
I can teach a beginner the basics. But never have I spent a full day, half-day, or even an hour focused on any particular aspect of casting a fly with the help of a bonafide instructor.
Why you should get instruction
Learning a physical skill like making a good cast with a fly rod involves practice and consistency. I can claim neither on my resume.
As a result, I do OK, but looking back on my 30-plus years at this, I’d recommend you do as I say, rather than as I’ve done.
On almost every outing I have a starting-out period of “getting the feel back.” The same goes for using a bait-caster after weeks of fly fishing. I have become adept at unraveling bird nests, but it’s time on the water wasted with lines in my hands instead of lures in the water.
What really motivated me to ask, too, is a pain in my neck, literally, and between my shoulders.
A good friend recently pointed out, “we’re all getting older.” There’s something to that. It’s not as easy to just muscle through a day anymore. It’s not fun to fish with a feeling like someone is sticking a knife in your back. Age accentuates the penalties inherent with lack of technique.
Casting is not hard
Enter Rex Walker of Sherman, Texas. He is a Fly-Fishers International Certified Fly Casting Instructor and has been on TFO’s Pro Staff as a casting instructor for at least 10 years.
“And I just enjoy getting out and helping people learn to cast,” he said.
That’s what had him on the bank of the Upper Illinois River early this month during the Illinois River Rendezvous at Peyton’s Landing.
Folks tend to be embarrassed about casting in front of experts, but it’s nothing to fret. Walker put it well. “As long as you’re having fun who cares?”
Walker instructed with equal ease with young and old along the Illinois River and all saw at least some progress with a short session of five or 10 minutes.
My issues and results? Well, old habits will die hard but my (apparently aging) shoulders will thank me for plenty of practice to come.
Walker noticed my “forcing it” posture with my casting arm up high and hands too far apart. When I “think” about casting I generally don’t do that but have to admit it’s probably how I most often cast. I have a lazy double-haul, more like a half-haul with piles of slack. On the back cast I pull down on the line with my free hand, but then it just languishes down there, out and away, holding the line and doing nothing but creating slack.
The more people work at casting the higher up and out they tend to hold their hands and rod—and the harder it is on their shoulders, Walker said.
“I tell people this a lot. It’s not a power sport,” he said. “The first thing is just to relax.”
Let the tool do the work
Arms down, elbows in, stand comfortably, develop good line-handling habits on the double-haul, and don’t be afraid to turn your body to make accuracy easier. And, just relax. Those are my practice instructions.
“If you can learn to relax both arms, you’re going to be a lot less tired at the end of the day,” Walker said.
Sometimes it just takes someone who can see what’s happening to point out what one would think is painfully obvious.
Technique, timing, and practice will take you farther every time, ask any pro in anything and they’ll tell you that’s so. Whether it’s swinging a fly rod, a golf club, a hammer, or a hand saw, that tool in your hand is designed to make the job easy. Let it do the work. You’re just the guide.
So, does anyone want to bet that I remember all this next time I see a big trout and decide I need to make a 75-foot cast?
Yeah, me neither but maybe after a crappy cast, or two, I’ll remember.
Where can you learn?
Watch for clinics and events online: The easy and inexpensive way to get some instruction is just how I did it, at an event sponsored by a group or organization. It’s a good way to get some tips and go home and practice. Hint: Don’t hog the instructor’s time and, please, buy something or at least pitch in on raffle tickets or something for the sponsoring group.
Jenks Community Education: The Jenks adult education program has regular fly-fishing clinics taught by local instructor Scott Hood of the local Trout Unlimited Oklahoma Chapter 420. Join up with TU-420 or watch its website or the Jenks Community Ed pages for notes about coming classes. Space is limited for these classes. One is happening on Oct. 30, but registration was full a month ahead of time. Watch for the next one!
Rex Walker: Walker is active with regional fly-fishing organizations, primarily in Texas but he said he is looking forward to another visit to the Illinois River any chance he can get. He said he will do private lessons but he primarily offers teaching sessions at events, speaks to groups and works with organizations to hold clinics. Again, the best way to connect with Rex is by hooking up with an active fly-fishing organization like TU-420 or Dallas Fly Fishers or Red River Fly Fishers.
Hire a guide: A day on the water with a fly-fishing guide can be aimed at catching fish or learning. Usually, it’s a little of both even if you’re a pretty good angler. Just adjust your “catch-spectations” accordingly and let your guide know what are your goals before you go. To list a few I know personally: Donovan Clary, Greg Dodds, and Larry D. Clark.
Dave & Emily Whitlock: If you want the real deal of instruction, pay for a day with Dave & Emily. They are a legendary couple and, trust me, if I didn’t have to be embarrassed fishing with Dave, you, too, will walk away much better for the experience and with your ego not only intact but significantly boosted. Find them at davewhitlock.com.