Hi guys,

I'm a somewhat casual fly fisher of a few years experience but I have recently got frustrated with my lack of ability in the casting department and I've booked a lesson with a local APGAI instructor, Sam Andrews.

My main problem is I seem unable to overhead cast for fear of getting "fly in my eye" syndrome and I think the side cast I have perfected is the main route of my problems. I cannot achieve much distance and my presentation is sporadic, ranging between bad and awful.

I was just wondering how many lessons it took some of you before you were able to put out a reasonable line, nice and straight? I understand hours of my own practice will be needed, but just looking for a bit of a benchmark to go off and any stories of your own to go by.

I really hope lessons make a difference....!

Rob

Never learned over head myself, always side casted for years....now im all over the shop with a strained arm....take the lessons and save the strain.

Never seen you cast so its a guess. But usually about 3 should see you up and running.
Take it a step at a time and practice what you have been shown.

If the line is coming back low it sometimes a sign your putting the power in to late or working on a fixed lenght power arc. Dont forget if your right handed you should tilt the rod to the right,or if left handed over to the left just a fraction. This keep the line away from the face.

Put some video together and post here. Thats the best I can do without seeing you cast.


gary

Nicho Bamboo Rod Co

Listen carefully to the advice and then practise on grass as often as you can.

If you then feel you've mastered what was explained to you, or feel you need more guidance, book another lesson.

Practice is the most important part - not the number of lessons.

As far as hitting yourself in the face with the fly, make sure you always practice with a wool tag in place of the fly. Wear glasses and a hat whether you are fishing or practising. Your confidence will build I'm sure.

Good luck!

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Dave Wiltshire

River Fly Box

Hi All

What Dave said is 100% correct, I had 3 lessons and 3-4 months of practise nearly every day to complete my instructors exams.

Get a lesson to know what your doing is right and practise, practise and more practise, when your happy move on from there.

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www.acgameangling.com & www.acgameangling.co.uk

The lesson sets you up for your practice. You could have 50 lessons and cast no better than you did on day one, the crucial bit is REALLY listening and concentrating during the lesson and then putting that into practice. That's where the difference is made. Lets say you have a lesson and then a month later have another. In that month there is an awful lot of practice time. Bear in mind if you have any questions you should be able to contact your instructor to seek clarification.

You should find a great difference after the lesson and if you practice you could be amazed at how quickly your casting will improve.

So to sum up - Listen, Concentrate, Practice

EDIT: Sorry didn't read Andrew's reply above properly Like Andrew, I spent a lot of time practising for my instructor's exam. Took one lesson and a mock test.... it's amazing what good practice will do

Cheers for the words of encouragement guys, sounds like I need to find myself a nice big deserted playing field and have that ready for plenty of practice!