Casting Practice "picking leaves"

[Steve Molcsan]

I'm not sure I want to develop muscle memory to hit the leaf

My flies find enough leaves and branches now

No for sure you don't .

Save the muscle memory for the mechanics of the cast , learning a crisp controlled stop will keep you from snagging
your fly in those tight places once on the water,
Practice picking leafs with a yarn tuff, no snags , in theory anyway

a really nice smaller diameter bullwhip

Thats the feel your looking for with the abrupt stop , without the snap , Bingo !

I was recently given permission to access a local pond, which I am told has fish in it.

What? Not even a polite invite , lucky you !