Phoenix Fly Casters, Fly Fishing Arizona

RSCC June 23 Cast & Skills Workshop

We’re skipping breakfast to beat the heat. Next early morning cast is Saturday, June 23 at Granada Park, 6505 N. 20 Street, Phoenix at 6:00. Granada opens at 5:30 if you want to help set targets, or rig your gear. 

At 6:00 AM sharp Larry Allen will explain and demo 2 key skills: distance roll casts and line management - lengthening and shortening line while false casting. Warm up practice is from 6 - 7. From 7 AM on, we’re invited to play Trout Fly. Bring your 5 - 6 wt rod, rigged with 5 - 6 wt line, a 9’ 0X - 3X leader including 18” of 3X tippet, with fluff or ACA trout fly and have some fun.

Trout Fly consists of 3 rounds to 5 targets in 6 minutes. Target order is up the ladder, from near to far.

1st round (Dry Fly round) - Start fly in hand, unlimited false casts to each target. Strip line from reel while false casting.
2nd round (Wet Fly round) - Strip line in and stack. Start fly in hand, unlimited false casts to first (red) target. 1 false cast, shoot line to successive targets.
3rd round (Roll Cast round) - roll cast to each target. Caster advances to each target by successfully hitting the previous target. Final target must be “hit” within 15 tries or time remaining, whichever applies first.

Now you can see why the workshop will concentrate on line management and distance roll casts. Rules and regulations for all ACA games can be viewed on the ACA website.

© Marian Tallon May, 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