Originally Posted by
fishdog54
Utah David,
I feel it's important to get the fundamentals down pat. After that you need to determine whether you are better suited physically/mentally for a fast rod, a slow rod, or in between. There are days when I just want to go out and fish the heck out of the water (combat fishing with streamers) and days when I'm content to fish no more 30 yrds of the stream with tiny drys! For me those two scenarios /situations would not be possible or as easy of a transition if I did not have a good foundation to work from. Even fishing the same stretch of water on the same day with two radically different rods (9' 3wt graphite and 7' 4wt bamboo) requires quite an adjustment to your casting stroke! But it's a piece of cake if you have the basics down pat - the rod will tell you what you need to do! No one can teach you all the weird casting gyrations and situations you will encounter on the various types/sizes of streams you will hopefully fish - that only comes with the experience and practice! This is the nature of fly fishing, and for many, like me, the allure!
One of the things I would like to learn properly is the double-haul - not that I intend to go double-hauling all over the place, just that there are times that I sure could have used it! Why walk away from a fish just because you lack the technique - not the ability.
Both of those guys are absolutely right, because they have each reached their objective, and for their individual personalities, they have taken a good foundation and gone their separate ways - nothing wrong with that!!
Best regards, Dave S.