Part of my work is to support a young man (25) who has Aspergers syndrome. He is keen to learn how to fly fish. Iv been fishing myself for 26 years but have never shown anyone else, im certain i have every bad habit going, then some which makes me wary of trying to "teach".
An instructor is not the way to go here for a few reasons.
Does anyone have any tips or exercises i could start this guy off with?
My intention at first was to take him on the grass and get him flicking 15 yards of line happily then next trip is to the local small stillwater to get his rod bent quick.
ANY advice greatly appreciated.
Scotty

__________________
i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

Seems to me that you have the right idea there mate, just a very basic short cast to start, tighten the drag so he/she doesn't even need to hold the line at first.
And catching that first fish is all important to give that feel good factor of achievement.
Well done to you mate, hope it all goes well.
Mike

__________________
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

It sounds that you have thought it out Scotty and are doing it the right way.
A friend of mine has a son with the condition and tends to get very switched on to anything that he really takes an interest in, so I have no doubt your client will pck it up very quickly.

__________________
shetlandtrout.co.uk

Thanks Kev and Mike, its good to hear others think similar. Im taking him on his local park today with a 9'6 #7 and the same in a #6 to see what he prefers.
I showed him a wee bit fly tying the other day and he put me to shame with his first attempt!
Thanks again guys, will post here how we get on.
Scotty

__________________
i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

hi scotty. as you know my line of work is very similar to yours and i have on two occasions taken groups fly fishing. all my clients had a mental health dignosis and their needs varied.

on both ocassions i contacted the venues in advance to tell them what i was planning on doing and both venues really could not have been more helpful. helping out with casting anf flies. both times it was really hard work but very rewarding and enjoyable too.

give your guys a call and they maight be able to help you too. good luck with it scotty and keep up the good work mate

burhan

__________________
I could fish deep into the night
Well past the light
But at the end of the day
It's the end of the day

Burhan

mc_death187@yahoo.com

Cheers burhan, the place ill take him is very good that way iv taken other clients there before, who could fish a bit first, its good to have such a place with an understanding manager.
Had him lifting and placing down 10 yards quite well on the grass, and had him almost shooting an extra 5. It was great to see the penny drop once he hit the sweet spot!
One more session on the grass then to the water

__________________
i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

Scotty, I think you have it about right, i would try him on 20-25 ft of line rather that the 45ft you have suggested though,

Start with as fixed length of line , then move on to false casting and finally shooting line.

Frank

__________________
Frank Williams APGAI

See Classified for;

Flouro Drop Style Indicators ¦ French/Czech nymphing leaders ¦ Hi-Vis tippet for indicators ¦
Kamoufil leader material ¦
Stroft ABR & GTM

Sponsored Kilimanjaro climb

replace yards with feet! sorry bout that! had him flicking 10' and shooting an extra 5 onto that.
Im always gettin my feet and yards mixed up, thats the very kind of inconsistency i have which makes me unsure about teaching others!!! I know exactly what i mean, no one else does
Thanks Frank, he is picking it up well, despite his tutor! onwards and upwards.
Im sticking to talking in feet from here on in!

__________________
i was walking far from home, where the names are not burned along the wall, saw a building, high as heaven, but the door was so small

Wait till he hooks his first

Frank

__________________
Frank Williams APGAI

See Classified for;

Flouro Drop Style Indicators ¦ French/Czech nymphing leaders ¦ Hi-Vis tippet for indicators ¦
Kamoufil leader material ¦
Stroft ABR & GTM

Sponsored Kilimanjaro climb

First of all, great gesture - I would try and keep it simple, maybe start with the clock face - 10oclock etc. Also, start off by restricting him to 1 cast, then move onto false casts shooting etc