This class is the foundation of fly casting where the student will learn how to perform the basic casts, and then will be able to move to the more advanced classes on fly fishing.
Basic Fly Casting – Overhead, Roll, Steeple Casts, And Slack Line Cast And Mending The Fly Line
The most basic types of fly casting are the overhead and roll casts. The overhead cast is the most straightforward and commonly used cast in fly fishing. The overhead cast is the first choice of cast in waters where there is adequate room for false casting. The roll cast is the second most basic and useful cast, used when there is not room behind the fisher for a backcast. Additionally, the steeple cast is somewhat less used, employed when there are smaller obstructions behind the fisher, such as grass or shrubbery. Finally, mending the fly line and the making slack line and reach casts are necessary at times for a drag free drift. Below is a series of short videos that explain these basic casts.
Basic Fly Casting Part 1
Basic Fly Casting Part 2
Basic Fly Casting Part 3
Slack Line Cast/Mending the Fly Line
Reach Cast
Remember, learning to fly cast properly will take some time practicing. It is better to practice ahead of time, so that you will be ready to cast when you get to the stream.
View this video by an Catskill expert on roll cast.
Practice the types of cast in preparation for a trout fishing trip. Study the grip, the location of the thumb, and the movement of the arm. Practice until you are confident that the casts become natural so they can be done without thinking. Be sure to use a piece of yarn as a fly to avoid getting snagged by the hook.
Recommended DVD:
Fly Fishing Strategies That Catch Trout
Getting Started Fly Fishing Basics
Top 85 Tips on Fly Fishing for Trout
Joan Wuff is a master fisherlady and you can get to know her, just click on her name, and read her book Fly-Casting Accuracy .