[uneke]

Hello Everyone,

Just went fly fishing on saturday for the very first time on the lower illinois in oklahoma. I must say I am now heavily addicted to fly fishing and may never go back to regular fishing. Tenkiller lake was above normal so they were letting water into river. Did not even get a bite with river so full and swift, however I dont think I have had more fun fishing. I would appreciate any leads on good information for improving my casting skills. I figure this should be my first focus then I can worry about catching fish. Anyway, glad to be here. Have a nice week .

[FrankB2]

Cool

As far as casting, you can take lessons, read books, watch DVD's, look
on YouTube, or all of the above. A basic fly cast is not all that complicated,
but some people can make it seem like brain surgery. Joan Wulff has a DVD
out that will leave you dazed and confused (I bought copy ). This
3 part YouTube series will get you moving in the right direction: YouTube - Tight Lines-Learning to Fly Cast Part 1
There are plenty of other casting lessons on YouTube, but you have to separate bad advice from proper form. One example of less than good
You Tube advice is from a group known as Expert Village. They have
64,000 videos on YouTube, and the flyfishing stuff is awful. Watch the guy
in that first link.

Good books would include Cam Sigler's Guide to FlyFishing. Cam boils
things down to a very digestible level (unlike Joan Wulff), and has some
useful overall info. The Orvis and LL Bean guides to flyfishing will work, but I
really like Cam Sigler's book. Once you get the basics down, practice casting
in the yard and on the water. On the water casting practice can be done
separate from fishing. If you cast over the same area 10 a minute, any fish
that might have been there is spooked or long gone. Find a pond, and your
casting practice will have the on the water feel that backyard casting
doesn't have. That's not to say you shouldn't practice in the yard.

Hope that helps !

P.S. Please don't beat me up for the Joan Wulff comment. I bought that DVD over the strong objections of a
great flyfishing women: Nancy Murphy. Nancy guides and instructs, and warned me that JW over-complicates
casting, but I had to pay $35 to see with my own eyes.

[BigCliff]

Welcome to the group and the sport!

The Three Rivers fly shop down near Broken Bow does beginners fly fishing clinics fairly often, and they're in a beautiful setting. Nearer to home, a local fly fishing club would be helpful.

[fyshstykr]

Welcome uneke, enjoy the forum.

[Davo]

I have to agree with the others about finding a shop or club that offers classes. Hands on teaches the best. As for books I'd have to recommend "The Cast" by Ed Jaworski. The forward is written by Lefty Kreh who also did the photos. Welcome to the sport and the forum.

Best
Davo

[ezamora]

" and may never go back to regular fishing. "

huh? what other type of fishing is there??

;-)

eric
fresno, ca.

[hattrick]

Isn't it great to get out on the river and cast for an hour or two, especially when it's your first time.

I remember my frist time on the Nothe Branch of the As Sable River system (Michigan). It was a two hour hatch first Caddis, then the Roberts Yellow Drak and at the end a light Cahill mixed in. I didn't at the time what I saw fishing with I just listen to my friend Randy and wouldn't you know it I caught my first brown trout. Been hooked sense then.

To answer your question try Joan Wulff's, "Dynamics of Fly Casting" or even better hook up with another fly fisherman. They most times can exnplain what is going on in your cast, be it good or need a little tweeking.

Well good luck,

Kelly (Hattrick) Revall

[uneke]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. About the tightlines, I have watched them over and over and they were a big help.

[FrankB2]

Originally Posted by uneke

Thanks for all the advice everyone. About the tightlines, I have watched them over and over and they were a big help.

That guy is pretty straight forward. I would still suggest Cam Sigler's book,
and Ed Jaworski. Jawarski goes into much greater detail, and can easily
be found at Boraders or Barnes & Noble.

Being self-taught, I had to read as much as possible about casting, and then
try to recognize what I was doing wrong....as I was doing it . It's kind of
like patting your head and rubing your stomach, but much worse...LOL!!!
30 minutes with a good instructor could do wonders. The folks at the local
fly shop told me they weren't real busy during certain hours (of course), and
to stop by. That was after I thought my casting was pretty good.

[tbrillinger223]

Uneke,

Welcome to the crazy world of fly fishing and to the forum