Fly Casting for Trout

Fly casting is the single most important skill a fly fisherman can master.  Fly casting is a craft of endless possibilities and is unique in the angling world.  An angler who has mastered the art of casting can accurately hit targets, straighten the leader or pile slack when needed, cast at various angles, and shoot the line to increase distance.  A skilled caster creates aerial mends, puddle line, or cast line under branches to improve the presentation or reach difficult locations.  They understand casting angles and know how to use them to their advantage. 

This one-day class will teach you casting concepts, provide you with drills, and offer a path to improve your fly casting.  The class expands on the basic roll cast and focuses on aerial casting, slack line casts, and distance.  The class begins with a review of the fundamentals, stance, grip, and casting mechanics for aerial casting.  Then it expands on casting angles, slackline casts, single haul, and shooting line.  Proficiency requires practice and time, but by the end of the class, you will have the knowledge needed to improve your casting ability and use it to solve challenging situations on trout streams. 

Benefits

• Learning how stances affect casting

• The most efficient grip

• The advantages of proper casting mechanics.

• How to perform various slackline casts and when to execute them.

• How to control the line for various tactics or multi-fly rigs.

• How casting angles can be used to adapt to various situations. 

Proficient casting requires time and practice.  To obtain proficiency, you need to practice correctly.  Each participant will receive a detailed handout explaining the techniques and drills used to develop various casts.   You will learn the concepts behind casting, practice while being coached, and leave with plenty of drills to take home.  My goal is for each participant to understand why the cast works, what to do, and have a path to reach their casting goals. 

Logistics

• Dates June 20th, August 29th

• Time: 8 hours with a lunch break

• Bring your own fly rod.  There will be an opportunity to cast other rods during the class. 

• Cost $200

• Participants: Max 6

Private Casting Lesson

Casting is the most important skill one can develop to improve your fly fishing success.  Sometimes, a one-on-one lesson can help you break through a recurring problem or help you overcome a streamside challenge.  Please contact me with an idea of your goals and the skills you are interested in learning. 

“Recently, Patrick spent several hours with my wife and me working to elevate our advanced casting skills. The exercises were difficult but so rewarding. Patrick's methods are effective, and his presentation of the concepts makes it fun. We both walked away from that lesson excited to get home and practice what we learned.”

-Marty-