The lesson yesterday was with
Stuart and Wendy McNair from Preston. Both of them are very keen on sea fishing with powerful beach casting rods. It is normal to expect people who do this sort of fishing regularly to find it difficult to make the transition over to fly fishing. Why? because the technique is so very different and more so on the application of power.
However, once Wendy and Stuart recognised and understood these changes we made terrific progress.
The roll casts were executed with good control and accuracy and the overhead casting was very good. Starting off with a basic overhead we soon got onto false casting and shooting line.
With all these casts we looked at the safety factors and variations of each cast taking into account the very nasty Westerly. This was just as well because when it came to actually fishing the wind was horrible but using the wind behind technique with the roll cast both of them were able to get a good line out with more than sufficient distance and more importantly without putting themselves in danger of being hit with the fly line or the fly.
So in spite of the conditions I was happy with the way the lesson went and we achieved all the original objectives and hopefully Stuart and Wendy will go on to do and enjoy more fly fishing in the future.
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note to let you know that myself and Wendy had a FANTASTIC time yesterday. We learnt loads and came away from your lesson full of promises to ourselves that we will be back. Our progress seemed to leap and I'm sure it was in no small part due to your ability to explain and demonstrate to us what was needed.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Stuart (& Wendy)
Check out my blog (yes, I've got one as well) at seafishingandwalking.co.uk
Hi Stuart & Wendy
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the lesson as much as I did.
Keep practising! Tightlines Mike
Keep practicing :) Yep, had an hours sesh this morning on the playing field, basic overhead seems to be OK once I lock my wrist but the shooting bit seemed to go a bit wrong - i think we're releasing too late and like you said - we got the "you'll not catch much there" comments - ho hum... Handy having a playing field behind our house though :)
ReplyDeleteThings to look for
ReplyDelete1/ If you release the line too early - look for the line wrapping itself around the rod blank above the handle.
2/ If you release the line too late - it simply won't go anywhere.
3/ In this early stage try to get into the habit of saying "stop - shoot" it should help with the timing.
Tightlines