Some say it's an art. Then again, many say it's just
something we do to get the fly out there. I suppose
it might even be a combination of the two, sometimes
or with certain individuals. It seems that often when
someone refers to a person who can cast well, or at
least efficiently, they infer that it is somehow
artistic, or he is an artist with the fly rod, the
'art' of flycasting or some thing similar.
This subject was brought up on the bulletin board a
few days ago and there were both sides of the issue
covered. I received a phone call and asked if I would
write my column on the subject this week. I will, but
I do not have a strong opinion on it. It is not
something I would have gone after like an early
morning bird after the late night bug. In other words,
it really is not a big deal with me. I can see that
it is though with some folks. At the risk of getting
my 'chops busted' as usual I will pen a few thoughts
on it.
When this subject comes up in other situations, just
general conversation, I like to compare it to playing
the piano. Some just seem to be able to play really
well and it doesn't take them long to learn it. I can
say for fact that I firmly believe that I could take
lessons for thirty years and probably not get much past
'chop-sticks.' I know too that in helping a few improve
on their fly casting I have seen some who do have less
trouble with it. I don't think it is any difference in
any learning ability, just a propensity to pick up the
necessary elements of mental and physical things
necessary to make a decent cast.
I have gotten to know a few of the world champion fly
casters and am always struck by the differences in
their style. I would think that to make casts like
they do, they would be rather similar. The only points
they share are, 'it stops here and it stops there;'
the rest is style I guess. I do know for a fact that
once they get to the point of near perfection that
the casts they make when practicing are not just
for fun. A lot of attention is put into each cast.
To not do so might actually develop a mistake or some
small error and incorporate it into their casts. This
is serious work for these guys. They do work at it. At
least the ones I know.
Some of you know, that as part of our casting classes,
I attempt to imitate some of the well known fly casters
of the world. I do not in any way claim to be anywhere
as good as them but, I have been able to study some of
the characteristics and have been able to show a little
bit of what they look like while casting. At risk of
further embarrassment I will name the ones I include.
I will say first that I do it to show the major
differences in their styles. They are: Lefty, Randi,
Mel, Joan, Doug and Steve. I can not do Jerry. Trust
me, I have tried.
Are these guys artists with a fly rod? Perhaps. I suppose
that depends upon your definition of artist. If I have
even known an artist it might have been a guide in the
Bahamas. Extremely smooth and could cast equally with
either hand, double-haul included. He was deadly
accurate and was a fine caster at distance as well. I
do not think I could beat him at either game. The thing
about him was how he looked while casting. Just plain
looked 'really good.' One of the guys I listed above
has great 'class' while casting. He may not always
win the distance, (I did watch him do it once thought)
but he looks so darn good trying. I would be pleased
if I looked half that well. Just not my thing though.
So, once again, I have brought up more questions than
I have answers for, but what's new about that. If you
want to feel it's an art to fly cast, at least for
some, go for it. But for the rest who are any good
at it, trust me it is a lot of long hard work. Well,
not all that hard, fun really, but at least a lot of
it. Maybe serious is a better choice of words. When,
at least I, practice, I try to make every cast count
for some reason. Each and every single one. Then again,
I have never been accused of being an artist with a fly
rod and not likely to be either. ~ James Castwell
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