Fly fishing: Do I need to practice casting before I get on the water for the first time?
Apr 19, 2021 09:58:03 #
I finally have my waders and have sufficient gear to start fly fishing this week. A little nervous about casting but have a fairly good idea (okay, extremely tenuous idea) of what to do. Should I go to a big field before I go out for the first time though?
Also, do you all practice casting regularly?
--
by FredFries_
Also, do you all practice casting regularly?
--
by FredFries_
Apr 19, 2021 11:04:29 #
I would forget the field idea and just go to a location where no one is fishing. The retrieve might be difficult on a field trip. Besides you just may catch something.
Apr 19, 2021 12:11:49 #
Find a pond like Pb says and make sure you have room to practice without too many trees!
Apr 20, 2021 08:02:53 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
6 one way, 1/2 dozen the other... The very first time I used a flyrod, I was in a rowboat/ a friend who already knew how to cast properly, who "talked me through" what to do... I can STILL hear him saying: "10 O'clock, 2 O'Clock, 10 O'clock, 2 O'Clock, 10 O'clock, 2 O'Clock... As I was starting out. This was probably back in 1973.
Apr 20, 2021 09:00:30 #
Apr 20, 2021 10:42:56 #
My dad and grandpa used to cut the hooks off of crap lures and make me practice casting in the back yard until I finally kinda knew what I was doing. Once they were convinced that I kinda knew what I was doing, then I got to go fishing with them. It kept the level of frustration at a minimum for all parties concerned.
Apr 20, 2021 11:44:12 #
Apr 20, 2021 12:09:24 #
bapabear
Loc: Blaine, Washington
I suggest you go to a pond with nothing but grass behind you and hopefully some bluegill in front of you. Practice casting to 3 feet above where you want the fly to land. When you are pretty sure you won't rip your ear off, attach a wooly worm and continue practicing. You can then practice retrieve methods and may get the opportunity to practice landing a fish or two with a fly rod as well. Remember, "It ain't the fly Mac, it's how you use it" I took this quote from a fishing magazine in the 60's or maybe the 50's and never forgot it.
Apr 20, 2021 13:16:32 #
Ugly fish
Loc: W Penn
I used to practice casting just before dusk at a golf course pond! Really helps to be alone without trees behind me.
Apr 20, 2021 13:59:50 #
FS Digest wrote:
I finally have my waders and have sufficient gear to start fly fishing this week. A little nervous about casting but have a fairly good idea (okay, extremely tenuous idea) of what to do. Should I go to a big field before I go out for the first time though?
Also, do you all practice casting regularly?
--
by FredFries_
Also, do you all practice casting regularly?
--
by FredFries_
Aren't you USUALLY better off practicing ANYTHING before actually doin it for the first time
Apr 20, 2021 14:00:31 #
Able Man
Loc: North Coast (Cleveland, Ohio)
One advantage to starting out, in the middle of a vacant baseball field, for example = you get a chance to "smoothen-out" your cast... There was a point, early on, when I'd first bought a flyrod, that I would hear the line "cracking like a whip" when I'd move my hand forward... That's not a good thing to be hearing... Literally blew a couple of flies apart, until I became capable of consistently casting more smoothly... Gives you a chance to work on your timing and recognizing when to "shift gears" (from the back swing to the forward cast)...
Apr 20, 2021 14:01:58 #
Ugly fish
Loc: W Penn
saw1 wrote:
Aren't you USUALLY better off practicing ANYTHING before actually doin it for the first time
Except for one thing, that will give you hairy palms and make you go blind!
😏
Apr 20, 2021 15:07:41 #
I suggest you research fly casting by watching videos on face book before attempting. It helps to understand the principles of fly casting before attempting. First practice should be as follows: take the tip of your flyrod, attach a piece of string approximately the length of your rod; tie on a piece of cloth; practice false casting until you achieve the feel of casting the line. Then, attach the tip section of your rod to the other sections, thread the fly line
through the guides; attach a 5' leader and again tie on a piece of cloth. practice false casting in a area free of obstructions until you can comfortably keep 15-30' of line in the air (basically parallel to the ground). Then, you are ready to go fly fishing !!!! Enjoy!!
through the guides; attach a 5' leader and again tie on a piece of cloth. practice false casting in a area free of obstructions until you can comfortably keep 15-30' of line in the air (basically parallel to the ground). Then, you are ready to go fly fishing !!!! Enjoy!!
Apr 20, 2021 17:59:11 #
Mark V
Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ
I would be very careful about using the end of the fly rod by itself to learn to case your line. There is a good chance you will damage (break) that section of your rod. I have found that a fly rod, especially a 5wt and below should never be grasped above the handle to increase leverage (don't ask me how I know) , you may end up with a "two "piece rod. Trust me that is not a good thing!
Apr 20, 2021 18:39:19 #
Retired george
Loc: California San Juaquin Valley
Definitely practice. Obstacles like trees will make your first day very difficult without practice.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.