What? Another book on how to fly cast? You've got to be kidding me.
My response to that comment was,"No. I am dead serious!" Admittedly, the question was quite valid. After all, tons of books, booklets, and articles have been written about the fly cast. And given the advent of visual technology, videotapes and videodisks covering the same subject now abound in the market place. In sum, there is a plethora of reference material available to one and all, each suggesting that the fly cast is easy.
With all this information available, the question one should ask is rather straightforward: why does the fly cast continue to the barrier that keeps so many folks from enjoying the sport?
Wondering "why" anything is a great motive to learn more about it. In my case, I've studied the fly cast for years. I've studied the works of folks who I consider to be the Masters: Lefty Kreh, Mel Kreiger, Joan Wulff, Ron Javorowski, et al. I've watched their videos, read their books, reviewed their articles. I've learned a lot. In fact, I am so bold in my elder years as to teach the fly cast to others. For awhile it seemed that for every student who went forward, another did not. The question: Why?
One day quite by accident I suddenly understood the problem. I was walking out to practice and, having rigged the fly rod proceeded to wiggle it back & forth, slowly feeding line out through the tip-top. It dawned on me that what I was doing was actually throwing a miniature fly cast: the loop was tight, perfectly formed and, as long as I paid attention, feeding line was not a problem.
For the first time I realized why so many failed to learn when taught the tried and doomed vertical overhead cast or even Lefty's sidearm lift. I wondered, "Why not teach the fly cast this way?" However, doing the sidearm wiggle wasn't enough. But when I incorporated the notion of the "dance"along with the wiggle, good things began to happen. In truth, a good caster "dances" with his or her fly line using their body and rod as the rhythm instrument.
Does this concept work? You bet! Now somewhat refined, I call it The Drill. Once mastered, lifting the cast from sidearm to the vertical is not a problem.
This book will teach you much more than simply The Drill. Emphasizing the sidearm cast, it outlines the techniques of using the backcast as the final presentation of the fly. It shows you the techniques to use in performing the so-called specialty casts. More importantly, it explores the secrets of wind fighting; the fly fishers number one adversary.Beginner or advanced, there is something here for everyone. But hear this, the book belongs with you afield. Print those parts of interest, such as the Drill, and take the printed word with you to the practice field.