SAMPLE LESSONS
PAINT BRUSH AND WATER FLY FISHING DRILL
I illustrate one of the most difficult sub-skills in proper fly casting, acceleration. Proper acceleration can’t be seen while fly fishing, except in the resulting unsatisfying cast. Proper fly casting acceleration must be felt.
For this lesson, pick up a pool noodle from your local sporting shop or Walmart. Cut the noodle in half to about 2.5 – 3 ft long. This will be an important tool in starting your correct casting technique. While I illustrate the proper technique through the drills I will highlight some important fly fishing terms. These are:
- Casting Stroke: A significant amount of movement and energy we put into the rod to cause a loop to be formed.
- Stroke Length: How far a caster’s hand moves side to side during a casting stroke.
- Rod Rotation: The amount of rotation that is put into the rod during a casting stroke resulting in a casting arc.
- Casting Arc: The casting arc is the angle of which the rod starts and stops during a casting stroke.