Great video! I started 29 years ago but never tried to teach anyone to cast until about 5 years ago when my nephews started fishing with me. Vids like this help me tremendously with teaching them. Watching them learn and improve is one of the best things in the world. I feel like I am a better caster because of it too.
That's awesome - I have grown myself since really digging in to teaching. The biggest takeaway for me is that there isn't an exact science to it...each person will adapt things into their own style and still manage to catch fish :))
@@FlyFishDan So very true. I try to keep it light and not stand behind them and critique. Give them some pointers and let them fish. We've been having an absolute blast. I'm headed to Idaho today to meet them and chase some cutties! I'll be watching this video with them tomorrow.
This was excellent. Always lovely to hear tips and watch techniques, to keep these ideas echoing in the mind when out on the water! 25 years ago, with no one around to instruct, I had Lefty Kreh's "Longer Fly-Casting" and "Saltwater Fly-Casting Technique" books and those line drawings are always in my head when I am on the water. Video, movement, helps so much! Thanks!
New to fly fishing, myself. Only about a week and a couple days in. But as far as casting really goes, I can get about a good 40 feet nice and straight and did discover that most times, less is really more. I've been fishing rod and reel my whole life so I had to get over trying to "whip it". Funny enough, as much as my fly fishing friend amazes me with his ability, I amaze him with my abilty to basically be a sniper with my baitcaster lol. Yin yang opposite ends of the table, but we all meet in the middle with some good fishin' ! Thanks for your videos, they're a great help!
@FlyFishDan I can see it, and I truly fell in love with it the first time I saw that line go nice and tight and launch right out... resulted in a almost 1lb bluegill lol. (I cheated, I manage a hatchery lol). And today had my first approx 50 footer and got a nice 14 inch rainbow. I shall soon master the ways of the fish (star wars? Lol) ! Thanks again! And keep the videos coming!
Great Video! Great teacher! Dan mentions looking behind you to see what your fly line is doing in your back cast. As a beginner, I don’t think this can be over stated! A big mistake is only looking forward at where your fly is going. Most casts are lost in the back cast. Watching your fly line behind you will also help you pick up on your cadence and timing much quicker. Wish I had a Dan 32 years ago to teach me these things. My skill would have progressed so much faster!
Thank you! Many tutorials say, do not move your wrist at all. I think maybe a little movement is okay and it’s personal preference. Again, thank you for not being so strict!
What I have found; there's no exact/precise way to cast. Many have different techniques that work for them, I have found that a slight wrist movement helps to load (bend) the rod during the casting stroke. This stored energy is then released (unloaded) as you stop the rod abruptly, which propels the line forward or backward. Without this slight wrist movement, the rod wouldn't bend properly, reducing casting efficiency.
I think a lot of people teach that because when someone picks up a fly rod for the first time ever they cast with their wrist completely instead of elbow. You can’t effectively cast with your wrist limp so it is easier to teach lock your wrist to get the fundamentals then once you figure out what you are doing you can adjust. Just like keeping the rod in a straight line it doesn’t work when throwing big heavy streamers you need to draw a sort of d shape. The one set in stone rule about fly fishing is there is exceptions to every rule
My dad made me hold a magazine under my arm. I learned it when I was a wee boy, and I think I developed bad habits. Your stuff is always helpful. Thanks.
Thanks Dan. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been doing this I always pick up new tips. Some days I feel like a pro. Sometimes I just fall apart and can’t hardly cast. I can always use more advice Thanks
Great video Dan, I've been at it for 4 years now, I do pretty good. After watching this I'm going to lean my arm out some, I think I'm casting to close to my body. Another thing to note, that no one ever mentions. On Scientific anglers line, the shooting head is a different color than the running line, only let the head out of the guides, with a good Technique and double hauling it will shoot the rest of the line. As a beginner I would keep letting line out, and it would get so long that I couldn't control it, my fly line would crash to the ground. Not sure if all fly line is marked where the shooting head stops and the running line starts. But SA, mpx is
G'day Dan, Thanks for putting the effort into making the video. I appreciate your enthusiasm and communications skills. I'd like to respectfully draw your attention to your presentation stroke. At about 9:15, you correctly instruct that we should do a hard stop before dropping the rod. When you make your presentation stroke, you are accelerating through your false cast stopping points and greatly opening your loop right up. Your stop position is no longer at (your) 2:00 position but now is at the 3:30 position. That is, there is no "hard stop followed by a drop". It's just one (wider) casting arc on the presentation stroke. (There is also a big "whoosh" of the rod through the air during that final stroke, which is what drew my attention to it.) You actually do this on every presentation stroke you make in the video but it's easiest to see it on the wide shot at 9:44 in the video. I know you know what you need to do - you are instructing as such. Just stop the rod and open the line hand fingers, THEN, as the loop is about to finish unrolling, drop the rod tip to the water. (I do wish there was a way to make this a private message. Feel free to delete it after reading.) Cheers, Graeme
@@Kalgrm no worries at all, I truly appreciate the tip and I’ll pay better attention to that next time. Incredible thing is - no matter how long we’ve been doing this there’s always room for growth and I appreciate the advice!
I am using my own fly rod that I designed and is custom built (moderate fast action parabolic power taper blank) The fly line is Cortland's Finesse Trout II. Both can be found on my website at fishonrods.com/
Is the 6wt better than 5wt line, and do you like the pins that slide into the line in order to tie the leader? Do you prefer to tie a knot? I know some have the loops to make it easier.
Thank you for your videos. Yours is one of the channels I watch frequently!! I am a newer ff and have a couple questions for you. Do you have email or how can I contact you ? Thx in advance!
Great video! I started 29 years ago but never tried to teach anyone to cast until about 5 years ago when my nephews started fishing with me. Vids like this help me tremendously with teaching them. Watching them learn and improve is one of the best things in the world. I feel like I am a better caster because of it too.
That's awesome - I have grown myself since really digging in to teaching. The biggest takeaway for me is that there isn't an exact science to it...each person will adapt things into their own style and still manage to catch fish :))
@@FlyFishDan So very true. I try to keep it light and not stand behind them and critique. Give them some pointers and let them fish. We've been having an absolute blast. I'm headed to Idaho today to meet them and chase some cutties! I'll be watching this video with them tomorrow.
This was excellent. Always lovely to hear tips and watch techniques, to keep these ideas echoing in the mind when out on the water! 25 years ago, with no one around to instruct, I had Lefty Kreh's "Longer Fly-Casting" and "Saltwater Fly-Casting Technique" books and those line drawings are always in my head when I am on the water. Video, movement, helps so much! Thanks!
@@robbeason my pleasure - cheers and FISH-ON!!
New to fly fishing, myself. Only about a week and a couple days in. But as far as casting really goes, I can get about a good 40 feet nice and straight and did discover that most times, less is really more. I've been fishing rod and reel my whole life so I had to get over trying to "whip it". Funny enough, as much as my fly fishing friend amazes me with his ability, I amaze him with my abilty to basically be a sniper with my baitcaster lol. Yin yang opposite ends of the table, but we all meet in the middle with some good fishin' !
Thanks for your videos, they're a great help!
You'll get there (sniper mode) with the fly rod soon - then you'll be unstoppable! :))
@FlyFishDan I can see it, and I truly fell in love with it the first time I saw that line go nice and tight and launch right out... resulted in a almost 1lb bluegill lol. (I cheated, I manage a hatchery lol). And today had my first approx 50 footer and got a nice 14 inch rainbow. I shall soon master the ways of the fish (star wars? Lol) ! Thanks again! And keep the videos coming!
Basics or not, Dan, I enjoy watching your channel and wish you the BEST. ☮from North Idaho
I appreciate that!
Many nuances to an efficient cast, thanks for sharing FF Dan.
You bet!
Excellent intro tutorial.
What model is that great tackle satchel you’re using?
Thanks! It is my Simms XL sling pack
Great Video! Great teacher! Dan mentions looking behind you to see what your fly line is doing in your back cast. As a beginner, I don’t think this can be over stated! A big mistake is only looking forward at where your fly is going. Most casts are lost in the back cast. Watching your fly line behind you will also help you pick up on your cadence and timing much quicker. Wish I had a Dan 32 years ago to teach me these things. My skill would have progressed so much faster!
Love that - appreciate the kind words
Thank you! Many tutorials say, do not move your wrist at all. I think maybe a little movement is okay and it’s personal preference. Again, thank you for not being so strict!
What I have found; there's no exact/precise way to cast. Many have different techniques that work for them, I have found that a slight wrist movement helps to load (bend) the rod during the casting stroke. This stored energy is then released (unloaded) as you stop the rod abruptly, which propels the line forward or backward. Without this slight wrist movement, the rod wouldn't bend properly, reducing casting efficiency.
I think a lot of people teach that because when someone picks up a fly rod for the first time ever they cast with their wrist completely instead of elbow. You can’t effectively cast with your wrist limp so it is easier to teach lock your wrist to get the fundamentals then once you figure out what you are doing you can adjust. Just like keeping the rod in a straight line it doesn’t work when throwing big heavy streamers you need to draw a sort of d shape. The one set in stone rule about fly fishing is there is exceptions to every rule
Well said!
My dad made me hold a magazine under my arm. I learned it when I was a wee boy, and I think I developed bad habits. Your stuff is always helpful. Thanks.
You bet, happy to help!
Thank you Dan for the tips 🎣🩵
You bet!
Thanks Dan. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been doing this I always pick up new tips. Some days I feel like a pro. Sometimes I just fall apart and can’t hardly cast. I can always use more advice
Thanks
@@mattharkness6697 I appreciate you Matt! Thanks for being a part of this! Cheers and FISH-ON!!
Great video Dan, I've been at it for 4 years now, I do pretty good. After watching this I'm going to lean my arm out some, I think I'm casting to close to my body. Another thing to note, that no one ever mentions. On Scientific anglers line, the shooting head is a different color than the running line, only let the head out of the guides, with a good Technique and double hauling it will shoot the rest of the line. As a beginner I would keep letting line out, and it would get so long that I couldn't control it, my fly line would crash to the ground. Not sure if all fly line is marked where the shooting head stops and the running line starts. But SA, mpx is
Great comments - thanks!
Thanks for a very thorough casting video!
You bet!
G'day Dan,
Thanks for putting the effort into making the video. I appreciate your enthusiasm and communications skills.
I'd like to respectfully draw your attention to your presentation stroke. At about 9:15, you correctly instruct that we should do a hard stop before dropping the rod.
When you make your presentation stroke, you are accelerating through your false cast stopping points and greatly opening your loop right up. Your stop position is no longer at (your) 2:00 position but now is at the 3:30 position. That is, there is no "hard stop followed by a drop". It's just one (wider) casting arc on the presentation stroke. (There is also a big "whoosh" of the rod through the air during that final stroke, which is what drew my attention to it.) You actually do this on every presentation stroke you make in the video but it's easiest to see it on the wide shot at 9:44 in the video.
I know you know what you need to do - you are instructing as such. Just stop the rod and open the line hand fingers, THEN, as the loop is about to finish unrolling, drop the rod tip to the water.
(I do wish there was a way to make this a private message. Feel free to delete it after reading.)
Cheers,
Graeme
@@Kalgrm no worries at all, I truly appreciate the tip and I’ll pay better attention to that next time. Incredible thing is - no matter how long we’ve been doing this there’s always room for growth and I appreciate the advice!
Hello question what line size do you using right now ?
I had this rod paired with Cortland's Finesse Trout II in 6wt (weight forward).
Your tutorials have helped me immensely and I Thank You. What Cortland line are you using it seems to very slick
You're welcome! Cortland Finesse Trout II
Excellent video!
Thank you! Cheers!
Thanks awesome video..
Thanks - appreciate that
Also what brand ?
I am using my own fly rod that I designed and is custom built (moderate fast action parabolic power taper blank) The fly line is Cortland's Finesse Trout II. Both can be found on my website at fishonrods.com/
Where are you located/ Im in vancouver wa and would love to join you sometime.
Thanks! I appreciate that - I am a few hours north of you. Thank you for being a part of my channel! Cheers and FISH-ON!!
Thanks Dan going to get my fly line wet for the first time this weekend "Yakima"
Nice!!
Is the 6wt better than 5wt line, and do you like the pins that slide into the line in order to tie the leader? Do you prefer to tie a knot? I know some have the loops to make it easier.
I sometimes use the nail knot but usually attach them loop to welded loop.
Thank you for your videos. Yours is one of the channels I watch frequently!! I am a newer ff and have a couple questions for you. Do you have email or how can I contact you ? Thx in advance!
@@mcglothlenchris4212 thanks! You can reach me at flyfishdan@gmail.com