Beginner casting question..

Hello,
I'm new to fly fishing and have been practicing my overhead casting
out on the lawn. After about 15-20 minutes my forearm is really sore.
Is this a sign of someone trying to hard? ha! I've studied casting
videos and it looks so effortless, I'm assuming that's how if feels. I
think It might be my back cast I get to concerned with getting the
line flying behind me fast enough and stopping hard . I'm casting a
9ft 5/6wt. I guess what I'm saying is that I lack the "grace" that is
apparent in good casters. But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
http://riffleskiffles.blogspot.com

On May 2, 12:34 pm, wrote:
But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.

Don't hold the landing net and the rod in the same hand.

On May 2, 2:22 pm, mr rapidan wrote:
On May 2, 12:34 pm, wrote:

But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.

Don't hold the landing net and the rod in the same hand.

Thanks for the tip but I was holding a cell phone and a cabelas
catalog.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,
I'm new to fly fishing and have been practicing my overhead casting
out on the lawn. After about 15-20 minutes my forearm is really sore.
Is this a sign of someone trying to hard? ha! I've studied casting
videos and it looks so effortless, I'm assuming that's how if feels. I
think It might be my back cast I get to concerned with getting the
line flying behind me fast enough and stopping hard . I'm casting a
9ft 5/6wt. I guess what I'm saying is that I lack the "grace" that is
apparent in good casters. But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
http://riffleskiffles.blogspot.com


Brian,
since you have viewed casting videos and assuming knowing the basics,
my suggestion is to not overpower the fly-rod. Make sure the rod bends
when loading and make your stops. I would start with about 35ft of
line out, and don't go anymore than that until you feel comfortable casting
good loops. Also you may want to cast 3/4 sidearm to start so you can
see your backcast, then gradually come upright. Let the fly-rod do the
work, and make nice gentle casting strokes. 15-20 minutes a day is all
you need for practicing.
good luck with your casting.
-tom

wrote:
Hello,
I'm new to fly fishing and have been practicing my overhead casting
out on the lawn. After about 15-20 minutes my forearm is really sore.
Is this a sign of someone trying to hard? ha! I've studied casting
videos and it looks so effortless, I'm assuming that's how if feels. I
think It might be my back cast I get to concerned with getting the
line flying behind me fast enough and stopping hard . I'm casting a
9ft 5/6wt. I guess what I'm saying is that I lack the "grace" that is
apparent in good casters. But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
http://riffleskiffles.blogspot.com


It's difficult to tell without watching you cast, but you may be using
your arm too much instead of loading the rod. They used to teach
beginners to cast while holding a bible (King James Version) between
their elbow and body. That's not the modern style, but it does force you
to load the rod so you might try it. I recommend using Sam Harris' End
of Faith or Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion instead of a bible. :-)

You might also be gripping the handle too tightly because of nervous
tension and/or performance anxiety. Relax.

The best single tip I've ever heard about casting is that the tip of the
rod should (ideally) travel in a straight line.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

On May 2, 2:41 pm, rw wrote:
wrote:
Hello,
I'm new to fly fishing and have been practicing my overhead casting
out on the lawn. After about 15-20 minutes my forearm is really sore.
Is this a sign of someone trying to hard? ha! I've studied casting
videos and it looks so effortless, I'm assuming that's how if feels. I
think It might be my back cast I get to concerned with getting the
line flying behind me fast enough and stopping hard . I'm casting a
9ft 5/6wt. I guess what I'm saying is that I lack the "grace" that is
apparent in good casters. But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
http://riffleskiffles.blogspot.com

It's difficult to tell without watching you cast, but you may be using
your arm too much instead of loading the rod. They used to teach
beginners to cast while holding a bible (King James Version) between
their elbow and body. That's not the modern style, but it does force you
to load the rod so you might try it. I recommend using Sam Harris' End
of Faith or Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion instead of a bible. :-)

You might also be gripping the handle too tightly because of nervous
tension and/or performance anxiety. Relax.

The best single tip I've ever heard about casting is that the tip of the
rod should (ideally) travel in a straight line.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Thanks I will give it a try. It might be from years of spin fishing
and heaving stuff out there...and not paying attention to my arc.
I'm with you on the Dawkins book...indubitably

On 2 May 2007 11:55:19 -0700, wrote:

On May 2, 2:41 pm, rw wrote:
wrote:
Hello,
I'm new to fly fishing and have been practicing my overhead casting
out on the lawn. After about 15-20 minutes my forearm is really sore.
Is this a sign of someone trying to hard? ha! I've studied casting
videos and it looks so effortless, I'm assuming that's how if feels. I
think It might be my back cast I get to concerned with getting the
line flying behind me fast enough and stopping hard . I'm casting a
9ft 5/6wt. I guess what I'm saying is that I lack the "grace" that is
apparent in good casters. But my arms is killing me trying to acheive
it! Just looking for some tips and advice. Any appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian
http://riffleskiffles.blogspot.com

It's difficult to tell without watching you cast, but you may be using
your arm too much instead of loading the rod. They used to teach
beginners to cast while holding a bible (King James Version) between
their elbow and body. That's not the modern style, but it does force you
to load the rod so you might try it. I recommend using Sam Harris' End
of Faith or Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion instead of a bible. :-)

You might also be gripping the handle too tightly because of nervous
tension and/or performance anxiety. Relax.

The best single tip I've ever heard about casting is that the tip of the
rod should (ideally) travel in a straight line.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

Thanks I will give it a try. It might be from years of spin fishing
and heaving stuff out there...

It well might be...like it might be that someone who doesn't know how to
juggle might get hurt juggling running chainsaws. If lessons from a pro
aren't in the cards for you, try to remember that the "lure" isn't
carrying the line, the line is carrying the fly - IOW, it simply isn't
possible to "chunk" a fly (within reason, of course), and trying to do
so will tire you out.

TC,
R

Thanks I will give it a try. It might be from years of spin fishing
and heaving stuff out there...and not paying attention to my arc.
I'm with you on the Dawkins book...indubitably


Well, ideally there would be no arc. More importantly, what is your age
bracket, where did you grow up, what were your early musical influences and
what is your general
education level? Knowing that, your casting problem is more easily
rectified.

john

Thanks I will give it a try. It might be from years of spin fishing
and heaving stuff out there...and not paying attention to my arc.
I'm with you on the Dawkins book...indubitably

"asadi"
Well, ideally there would be no arc. john

Actually there is a casting rod arc.
One of the things that was brought when casting, is learning to match
the casting arc to the amount of line you are carrying to the amount of
force you are applying.
You can read about it here #2 and view the mpg in the tailing loops section:
http://www.sexyloops.com/flycasting/tailingloops.shtml
-tom

asadi wrote:

Thanks I will give it a try. It might be from years of spin fishing
and heaving stuff out there...and not paying attention to my arc.
I'm with you on the Dawkins book...indubitably


Well, ideally there would be no arc. More importantly, what is your age
bracket, where did you grow up, what were your early musical influences and
what is your general
education level? Knowing that, your casting problem is more easily
rectified.

john



John,

Ok. I'll bite. I am 70 years old, Grew up in northeast Ohio on Lake
Erie, music influences are Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, the Big
Bopper, and Elvis, BS Aero eng.

Now tell me what is wrong with my casting!

Ed
Dying to know what all that has to do with casting...