Super fly guy
I HAVE recently come across something of a revolution in my fly fishing career.
Having started fly fishing years ago, I think I have come across a secret that not many people know about, Or if they know, not many talk about it.
Professional fly casting lessons work.
A little in jest, I held pretty firm to “ach my casting is grand” even when I could see someone effortlessly casting to the backing beside me, so this does mean a lot.
I was recently invited on one of those fishing trips of a lifetime and I thought to myself a little lesson couldn’t do me any harm. You know – add a foot or so to my cast, maybe help with my presentation a little, so I look a bit more accomplished – not too much though.
I could not have been further from the truth. After an hour with an instructor a friend recommended, I had added 10 yards to my cast. I had cut out wasted false casts and started putting the fly on or near the target every time. I was astonished.
Let the rod do the work seems to be the important part. No more thrashing a line to death trying to put it that bit further. In fact that often shortens your cast. Less effort more results.
“Its simple” said the instructor. “You’re a big guy who learned the best way to throw a fly line was with brute force. What you are doing is the equivalent of going to a music concert and asking the singer to shout louder instead of turning the volume up. We have a tool for that so you have to let the rod do the work.”
I know I could buy the most expensive guitar in the world and it would not make me any better but if I hand my cheap guitar to Eric Clapton it would sound like nothing that’s been wrung out of it before. Practice and the proper training make all the difference to most things.
Casting instruction can be found in loads of places in Scotland.
Most of the ghillies and river keepers are at least competent and loads of them have the full SGAIC training qualification under their belt.
Your local tackle shop will almost certainly have the name of an instructor they recommend. Or attend a fishing event locally.
Clubs often put on days to bring you to the river while or tackle shows and game fairs always have some casting tuition available.
We spend hundreds of pounds to get a rod to make us better but don’t even consider that we could be better.
I reckon most anglers – novice or experienced – could benefit from a lesson or two – it may just transform your fishing.