I’m not a casting instructor. I often have friends and clients who could improve their casting technique though.
IMHO, … one of the aspects that distinguishes a Real Instructor, is their ability to diagnose problems in a cast (or the caster).
Question:
What is the #2 problem you see that an intermediate caster does?, … And, … how can you help to fix it?
Ideas ??
Edit:
I’m not looking to blow my own horn here, … I feel I should try to improve my “ability” to help some of my friends go a bit further and maybe evolve a tad. … So I’m looking for tips
Lack of practise And fishing is not practise. I wonder how much time Tiger spends on practise? it is always the differance between fair and good, good and great.
The folks wo come to me for “instruction” or tips WANT to learn. Makes it really fun.
I’ve had clients who’d rather improve their casting and presentation, than fill a cooler with trout.
I’m starting to max out in my ability to diagnose some problems though. 'Fur instance, … it was just a while ago that I figured out how to “fix” a trailing loop (thanks to y’all here ).
… a main flaw in the instruction of a ‘green’ instructor. The lack of experience in that ability, which ‘only’ can come from experience. …
A very important fact of Life there. 'fur instance, … in my (real) job, … I believe that a project CANNOT be supervised by someone how hasn’t, in the past, successully DONE the job already.
Makes for some tough job requirements here, … but then again, we’re managing Public forest land.
As for learning “more” than a “pupil”. … Happens EVERY time someone asks a question
I find intermediate casters are the hardest to teach. The problem is THEY DON’T LISTEN, actually they listen but revert back to thier old habits as soon as they get on the water. I have many times corrected a problem only to see them go back to the problem that has been deeply imbedded in muscle memory. To correct this I teach them a practice routine, tell them to do it 5 minutes a day for 2 weeks (not while fishing), to re-educate a long time casters habits.
I find intermediate casters are the hardest to teach. …
Me too … Beginners are a blast 'cause they progress FAST.
Advanced and technically “correct” casters, … Out of my scope, so I don’t go there …
Intermediate folks, … they have enough experience to make repetitive “faults” and not enough “experience” to “feel” the errors and auto-correct.
I DO have an advantage in that many folks up here are equiped for trout, … so when they pick up a salmon rod, … they “think” its different and are more “open” to learning.
I just like to keep up front the fact that I’m not an Instructor (with a capital “I” … I can help many anglers have more fun casting. For those who are looking for “real” instruction, … I know where to refer them (ie … HERE !!)
Here’s a small tip but one that has helped me many times. Alot of casters want to put too much of their body into it, mainly legs. Have them cast in a kneeling position for a bit and watch how quickly they understand the difference. It also helps them understand to keep their backcast higher.
To answer your question, the #2 (or thereabouts) problem I see with an intermediate caster is the wrong application of power. They almost have it down, but for the timing.
I think the key to a good instructor is the ability to not only diagnose the problem but to COMMUNICATE why it’s happening and how to fix it.
Practice good. Bad practice bad. You’re just putting nasty stuff in muscle memory. Bad habits are a true-to-life bear to break. It’s best to learn propery from the get-go and practice GOOD form.
Casting is the EASIEST part of the whole game…so why is it that ,It seems to be the most studied asspect in flyfishing???
Just a thought that seems to run through my head whenever I read about casting,as casting should be nothing more than an after thought,such as breathing is,do it all the time,but I don’t read about it…write about it…and the “casting Instructer”…hummmm…
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
If all you mean is get the fly out any way possible and without care of accuracy or presentation then yes, I agree.
To get that fly near a bonefish moving right along at 60’ out in a 25 knot breeze might be easy for some…
To get that fly under a 3’ gap between the water and a rhodendrun so it lands next to the bank might be easy for some…
To get a perfect 50’ curve cast 3’ above that smart, hawg brown so it lands gently yet floats right down his lane might be easy for some…
Maybe I missed a previous thread so I don?t understand why you are looking for the #2 problem, why not the #1 problem? Anyway for sake of discussion let?s first define an intermediate caster so we are on the same page.
How about an intermediate caster is one that can generally cast a 5 wt rod say 50 feet under moderately light wind conditions; is maxed out at 60 feet; and who?s accuracy is resonable (3 ft circle) to 40 feet? Also let?s define ?problem? as an issue that prevents improvement in the caster?s ability or skill.
Now I can think of a number of problems that such an individual could have. Here are my first thoughts on the subject - you place them in order and decide which is number two.
Introducing slack into the line at some point during the cast.
Improper application of power (timing or too much power) during the cast.
Poor back cast (due any number of other problems)
Knowing only one style of casting, thereby limiting the caster?s ability to change or adapt as conditions change.
Unnessary false casting.
Unable to double haul .
Inability to recognize and self diagnose their own casting problems.
Lack of pratice.
Inproper use of the non-rod hand during the cast.
I?m sure there are more but these are my initial thoughts.
As a side point I also believe that many casters hamper their casting by selecting a rod that is beyond their ability. To be more specific, the ultra fast rods on the market today require much more precise timing than most intermediate casters have. These rods load and also unload very very quickly making it difficult for the less experienced caster to feel and control what is happening. Many casters, finding themselves with such a rod, end up using a heavier line to slow the rod. While this may help their casting, it also defeats the potential of such a rod.
…why is it that ,It seems to be the most studied asspect in flyfishing? …
IMHO, … many start casting and (hopefully) … end up fishing … That’s why I did the pieces on “presentation” and never found the need (want) to do any on casting.
I have lots of fun up here (best excuse to put out as we don’t catch lots of salmon ) … I really do like going out Casting. Not fishing. We’re resting a pool. I’ll move over onto some “empty” water, … a shallow slick say, … String up 10-12 rods and CAST!. I’ll play with leaders, under and over-lining. I’ll work on rolls, curves, slacks, dble and single H.
Jim,
Thanx for the items. You know you’re the FIRST who mentionned the #2 ?? ascpect of the question.
No, … I don’t know the #1, … just wanted to see if anyone actually READS the dribble that JC lets me leave posted here
I like the list of points, … excellent ideas, … I’ll keep an eye out on those. As for the “improper” rod. That’s the tough one. Occassionally, I’ll be with someone who is, as you mention’ not quite properly equiped (usually too stiff, too fast an action) for their state.
Problem is, how to get them to try a more appropriate rod when they just got their new Baby from the shop and REALLY want it to work (yes, some shops will let clients out the door with a big ticket rod that doesn’t suit them).
Just like any subject to do with Flyfishing, this one has many facets.
One of the most common faults I come across is the delivery cast. It is amazing how often the caster will get their false casting working like a dream. Then wind up into the delivery cast and forgetting all about timing or pausing at the top. They SLASH the rod forward and down and present a cast that resembles a nice plate of spaghetti. Get them to slow down and not cut the top of the rod down to water level, and watch for the look of surprise when they realise Muscle is not the answer. Jax
I’m a much better Fly fisher when talking fishing, than when I’m Actually Fly fishing!
The ‘slash’ cast is what we call the ‘anticipation’ cast. They know they are going to let the line go on it and do everything wrong, (mostly trying too hard.)
The trick is NOT to change anything once you have your false casts the way you want them.
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