casting for casting advice
 

I'm 100% self taught as a fly caster and the truth is, my instructor wasn't
too good.

Normally, my abilities are fine with me, although I do see a lot of other FF
point my direction and laugh as I cast. I can manipulate the line into
curves and around rocks and, generally, get it to serve it's fish catching
function ... at the short ranges I normally fish. I actually prefer the
challenge of getting closer to the fish to casting tests, anyway.

But, every year, about this time (Striper time and 'ain't nothing left but
stillwaters' time ) I become aware of my failing as a distance caster.

My question
...after a comment. I'm a little afraid to get too involved in trying to
relearn casting.
I fear three things
1) getting so self-conscious that I actually get worse ( I've seen golfer
friends do this, 'think' themselves into troubles ) and lose the short line
abilities seeking long line fishing I only do a few days / year .. I can
live without really casting a long line well, have for nearly 40 years
2) falling into a blame the tools trap, that sees me out senselessly
spending on new miracle rods ( I'm a sucker )
3) losing fishing skills to casting skills ( some [ not all TJ :-) ] really
skilled 'tight loop' guys I see can't fish worth a damn and it 'appears' to
be related to their casting skill ... they consistently choose to cast
rather than fish ... wailing a long line to the other side while wondering
what those things flashing away from their feet are :-)

Have any suggestions for videos/ books on long line casting? Have any
experience in "re-learning" to cast after many many years of doing it the
wrong way? Opinions on whether it would be worth the effort for a few days
a year, when much of my fishing sees me backing up to get far enough away to
cast? Opinions on where/ how to practice? ( I see suggestions to 'practice'
without a rod and such that stretch my old fart view of reality )

casting for casting advice
 

Larry L wrote:

But, every year, about this time (Striper time and 'ain't nothing left but
stillwaters' time ) I become aware of my failing as a distance caster.

My question
..after a comment. I'm a little afraid to get too involved in trying to
relearn casting.
I fear three things
1) getting so self-conscious that I actually get worse .........
2) falling into a blame the tools trap .........
3) losing fishing skills to casting skills ........

I improved my distance casting (somewhat) by concentrating on learning
to haul and double haul better. It's true that too much thinking made
my hauling worse before it got better, but--perhaps because these aren't
techniques that I use at shorter distances--working on them didn't at
all confound my "normal" casting.

On the other hand, an earlier attempt to improve my distance casting by
switching to a stiffer rod and screwing with the timing of my casting
stroke was disasterous.

JR

casting for casting advice
 

An hour with a pro might be a better way to spend the money as opposed to a
book or video because he or she will be able to tell you what to work on and
what to leave alone. More importantly, a person can answer a question.

That said, I got more distance when I finally figured out the rod stop on
the back and fore cast.

Good luck.

Chris Brown

casting for casting advice
 

How does one find such instructors?

casting for casting advice
 

Do you have a local fly shop? Often, there is at least one that they can
refer you to. In my area, the adult education program through the local
junior college/school district offers class. Local fly fishing club is
another place to check out.

Chris

casting for casting advice
 

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Larry L wrote:

Have any suggestions for videos/ books on long line casting?

Troubleshooting the Cast by Ed Jaworski (sp?)

My wife took some photos of me while I was casting several years ago. It
was very clear I was breaking my back cast at the wrist and that my arm
motion was too low. I think you may want to videotape yourself in order
to catch some of the more obvious mistakes you may be making.

Mu

casting for casting advice
 

"Mu Young Lee" wrote

I think you may want to videotape yourself in order
to catch some of the more obvious mistakes you may be making.



I think that is a cool idea, thanks

casting for casting advice
 

I practiced on a lawn next to an office building with those big reflective
mirrors.....I've never had much luck getting women to do what I want with a
video camera....

john

"Mu Young Lee" wrote in message
pcc.itd.umich.edu...
On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Larry L wrote:

Have any suggestions for videos/ books on long line casting?

Troubleshooting the Cast by Ed Jaworski (sp?)

My wife took some photos of me while I was casting several years ago. It
was very clear I was breaking my back cast at the wrist and that my arm
motion was too low. I think you may want to videotape yourself in order
to catch some of the more obvious mistakes you may be making.

Mu

casting for casting advice
 

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 18:41:24 -0400, Mu Young Lee
wrote:

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003, Larry L wrote:

Have any suggestions for videos/ books on long line casting?

Troubleshooting the Cast by Ed Jaworski (sp?)

My wife took some photos of me while I was casting several years ago. It
was very clear I was breaking my back cast at the wrist and that my arm
motion was too low. I think you may want to videotape yourself in order
to catch some of the more obvious mistakes you may be making.

Mu


Mu probably has the best advice -- nothing like seeing your mistakes
first-hand. -- Greg sent me a video of my spey casting :(

Peter

turn mailhot into hotmail to reply

Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharl...ers/index.html

casting for casting advice
 

Neither was mine... but I DID recently get a little help. I bought a copy
of Mel Krieger's "The Essence of Flycasting"... and BOY it did a number on
my casting... I am SO much better now, it's not even funny. Hell, I might
even let some ROFF people see me cast now!

Anyway, I highly recommend it. It certainly helped me!

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te... atic_product

"Larry L" wrote in message
...
I'm 100% self taught as a fly caster and the truth is, my instructor
wasn't
too good.