Fly Casting Session – Streams and Boats

Fly Casters it’s time to update your casting repertoire. This is also a great opportunity to meet and greet if you are a newcomer to the club.

This is a tactical fly-casting session and is not suitable for newbies/beginners. Please commit when you book… last minute cancellations are difficult to fill and food planning becomes an issue. If you do not pitch on the day, you will be fined… 12 beers ;). Non-participants are also welcome to come and play.

I will show and teach you the casts (you will have a go at each) and will also give the reasons and situations of why and where they will be used. The casts we will learn at this session are fishing casts for streams and boats and include –

• Reach Mends (right and left)
• Pile, puddle, parachute cast
• Wiggle cast
• Arial mend
• Bucket mend
• Tuck cast
• Curve casts
• Roll casts
• Singlehanded Spey casts, snake roll etc.
• Change of direction casts

Casting Levels

• Newbie = never cast before
• Beginner = fished a couple of times, but unsure, fishes once or twice a year (casts less than 15m)
• Intermediate = fishes regularly, comfortable with casting, can double haul (can cast 20m+)
• Advanced = Fish a lot, can do most casts with light and heavy tackle, can cast 25m +, can identify and correct own errors, ability to teach and help others
• Jedi master or Yoda himself = “Learn we must from you”

For practice, the following setup is recommended

1. Your normal/favourite fly-fishing rod, the one you are most comfortable with. Try and stay in the 4 to 7 weights range. I feel that in general 4 to 7 weights are the most suitable for practicing and perfecting your casting.
2. Floating line … a bright colour preferred, Matching reel and a matching floating fly line.
3. Leader and some yarn for a fly. Tapered leaders (0x or 1x) of around 9 feet long. It will give you the most consistent turnover results for practice.
4. For Tactical casting…bring the lightweight rods as well.

Proposed program for the day

• Rig up and warmup 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time of 09h00
• Safety brief
• 3 x 1 hr sessions of instruction and practice
• Basics of Casting, PULD, 5 essentials of casting
• Roll casting, Change in direction, Single-handed Spey
• Aerial mends, Slackline casts, Tuck and Curve casts
• Braai – 12h00 + See the most famous Boerewors Roll Cast demonstration. Serious fun!

Notes

• Please note that this is a group casting clinic and individual one-on-one time may be limited. Your patience and understanding in this regard is appreciated.
• As a club, members we have the opportunity to learn from each other. If you have some particular skill…please share.
• One-on-one lessons can be booked with the instructors by separate arrangements.
• Be punctual as exercises build on each other.
• No flies, please. Remember your buff, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and something to drink and snack.
• The casting instructors are not necessarily better casters than you but are trained in observing, identifying and correcting common casting mistakes to improve your casting experience.
• Observers are welcome.
• There is plenty of time after the formal sessions to cast on your own, try out new tackle, ask questions etc.
• The casting clinic is run by volunteers and the instructors run on liquid refreshments!
• The clinic is free for club members. Non-members pay R250.00 but will only be allowed if there is space available.

Give me a call if you have questions.

Wet Nets!

Leslie Thiart