Flycasting Instruction

Fly casting is a vital element of our overall fishing strategy that is combined with techniques, tactics and knowledge born of experience.

The important fly casts to know are the ones that present our flies stealthily and accurately where we want them, in the manner we want, counteracting any adverse conditions of weather and coping with the many varied obstructions we sometimes have to contend with.

For the Salmon angler this may entail the use of casts such as the single spey / double spey, circle cast, snake roll, snap T, Underhand casting, Skagit casting or maybe one of the contrived casts.

For the Trout angler fishing dry flies, nymphs, wets, streamers, there are many casts for both counteracting and producing drag.

Casts like the reach cast, parachute cast, tuck cast, various curve casts and added to these we have the on water line management systems of stripping, mending and feeding.  Saltwater and Pike fly fishers must control the size of their casting loops to remain safe while using large sometimes weighted flies, elliptical casts and casts like the Barnegat Bay cast are important with single / double hauling being used to attain distance when required.

All these different fly casts and their proper application to specific fishing situations can be very confusing for the beginner and intermediate fly fisher.  A really good fly casting Instructor will teach all these casts right or left handed in a relaxed, fun and easy to learn format which quickly builds confidence.

Conflicting opinions on the merits of various fly casting styles ( sometimes from persons having insufficient knowledge or experience ) also causes much needless confusion.  A lifetime spent on the water has taught me that certain styles are better in some situations and that there is no one style which covers absolutely everything.

My own education in fly casting began as a child when along with my friends we were taught single hand casting in the traditional north country way and as we got older we were also taught double hand overhead and switch casting.

As a teenager I guided Tom Ryan a great caster and angler from New York who introduced me to Doug Swishers,
( micro second wrist ) style.

This really opened up my approach to fly casting and I went on to study and learn other American styles.

Three Irish instructors have helpd my progress: FFF exams assessor Robert Gillespie who guided me in complex flycasting theory as I prepared for and successfully passed various single hand / double hand fly casting exams, Packy Trotter for his teaching style and for his development on the concept of rod pop and Declan Hughes for his renowned and graceful interpretation of the style used by former World champion Peter Anderson of Scotland.

Learning how to cast open loops or tight loops is very important

I have also received tuition from world famous Instructors like Scott Mackenzie, Al Bhur, Mel Krieger, Ed Ward and as a member of the Ireland team at the World Masters fly casting championships I was fortunate to meet Steve Rajeff who kindly gave up some of his precious time to teach me some of his advanced techniques.

This long and endless quest to improve my teaching of fly casting has been made easier by the quality and generosity of the people I have met on the journey.

I like to teach the BASICS really well, the HOW and the WHY then build on it.

Matching the style most suitable for the person to effectively and effortlessly enjoy THIS GREAT SPORT OF OURS.