Phoenix Fly Casters, Fly Fishing Arizona

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

RSCC Accuracy Workshop

Sometimes 1 picture says it all....

Observation is a great learning tool. Note Larry's closed stance (right foot forward) typical for optimizing tracking and accuracy. Cast in the vertical plane, watch your loop develop and follow it to your target, hover the fly (crisp stops), adjust the casting tempo per conditions, maintain the 180° principal/casting plane, present the fly (first) to the target.

Listening to explanations kick-starts our brains. Fly casting and fishing are a thinking person's sport. If things don't "click" at first, think through the explanation you hear, the demo you see and things will begin to "click".

Practice. Don't just observe & listen. Right, don't just stand there.... Jump up and practice; practice what you're learning - not the same old cast, expecting different results. Develop a fun routine, with a buddy if you can, that includes some experimentation and let your loop be your teacher.

                                              *Relaxed grip & stance.
                                              *Accelerate to a crisp stops.
                                              *Watch, listen & feel the rod working.
                                              *Hover your fly over a target.
                                              *Watch your loop.
                                              *Adjust your casting plane to fly first lay down.
                                              *Adjust line lengths while false casting.
                                              *Have fun, make progress.

Refer to Larry's article below for a refresher. Next cast is Saturday, June 23 at Granada Park, 6:00AM.

© Marian Tallon May, 2012

Kicking Bass

Our pal Sara at the April 2012 BOW.

Who says you can't catch bass with a fly rod?

Photo courtesy of Brian Mazoyer

Saturday, April 14, 2012

RSCC Grand Opening was GRAND!

The occasional reality check was in order on Rio Salado Casting Club's opening day celebration. An Arizona first, attending were 2 members of the U.S. Casting Team, 1 American Casting Team member, 2 Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Board of Governors, 4 FFF Master Casting Instructors, 9 FFF Casting Instructors and 10 tournament casters. Two more tournament casters emerged from retirement. Guests from Oregon and California, from far and wide parts of Arizona and from one end of the valley to the other assembled for RSCC's inaugural cast.

Heady talent, but "regular down to earth folks," eager to help. We all benefited from the "explain and demo" and open casting "tips" session.

Be sure to look over the post below regarding the May 12 Breakfast Cast.

Photos courtesy of Sara Yeager.
© Marian Tallon, April 2012

RSCC May 12 Breakfast Cast & Accuracy Workshop

Breakfast Cast Saturday May 12 at Gilbert Courthouse Campus, 55 E. Civic Center Dr. Breakfast at IHOP across the street, 920 S. Gilbert Rd. at 6:30ish. Around 8:00 AM at the pond, RSCC will present an accuracy workshop followed by a round of Dry Fly. Bring your rod, 6 - 7 wt floating line, rigged with a 7 1/2' 0X leader and have some fun

The article below isn't your homework, but it will give casters a good idea of what to look forward to on May 12.

Guest Contributor: Larry Allen

Photos courtesy of Donna Walkuski and Jack Turner.

Allen, Larry International Federation of Fly Fishers "Fly Casting Accuracy Techniques" THE LOOP, Fall 2007, Online, Accessed April 14, 2012. http://www.fedflyfishers.org/

Allen, Larry International Federation of Fly Fishers "Fly Casting Accuracy Techniques" THE LOOP, Fall 2007. Rpt. in Target Talk, "Tournament Casting Tips", February 2009. Accessed April 14, 2012. Available online at http://www.longbeachcastingclub.org/