Granted there are situations where good distance casting is a must, but is it really? So much has been written on the subject that at times I think we should petition Congress to change the name of our sport to “Fly Casting” as the fish has very little to do with our collective focus. You do it to men.
Rod manufacturers’ really like this mind set. Why? It’s simple… It sells gear. At one point, the industry became so focused on casting that while the rods cast great they were absolute fish losers.
The truth is a great fly rod must multi task, casting being only one thing of many it must do to “put fish to memory or film.” It’s funny to see the faces of students when they find out that I am not a casting instructor during a casting class.
I tell them I’m a “Fly Fishing” instructor and today we’re focusing on casting. We always begin with “in fly fishing we cast the weight of the line and the fly is just along for the ride.” Then comes the rope drills.
With the rope they learn about energy transfer. Then I do some stunt casting that leaves little doubt that the fly line will always and can only follow the path of the rod, regardless even of the rods’ bizarre orientation.
After this five to ten minute introduction, casting begins. First we focus on just false casting by putting the rope drills to practice.
Then we go straight to a simplified presentation cast. Usually within a few minutes, most can make a very nice thirty footer with some consistency.
Once everyone is able to make a nice clean thirty footer, I ask how many would like to learn an “advanced casting technique?” I tell them it is probably the most productive fishing cast they can learn. I tell them it is THE cast of Fly Fishing Masters…The Apache Cast…
Well, curiosity is a powerful tool and WHO KNEW??? They just really want to learn to catch fish on a fly rod and have no illusions of casting over a hundred feet, especially on day one.
With curiosity at a peak, having learned how to cast cleanly and accurately to a modest distance and excited to get to the water, I cover the Apache Cast.
Rule #1: Dress for success. Select clothing and gear that blends in to the fishing environment.
Rule #2: Never let your shadow lead you in the direction of your intended presentation. (Sun at your back)
Rule #3: Never let your shadow follow you in the direction of your intended presentation. (Sun directly in your face)
Rule #4: Make no sound or wake while moving. (Wading or boating)
Rule #5: Make clean quiet presentations. Don’t thrash the water!!!
Invariably folks look at me in a very peculiar way at this point as nothing about Apache Casting has anything to do with casting, or does it???
Following these five simple rules will help any angler catch more fish, nearly regardless of their casting prowess. These rules benefit all anglers regardless of species pursuit. Apache casting is something ANYBODY can do!
Monstrous double hauls, impeccable timing, compact casting strokes all have their place. We also, though, need to acknowledge that the fly fishing industry has created a perception that has become a faux reality. Ask any Karate aficionado, where fly fishing is always inside thirty feet or even less and often much less.
I love the two-handed rod but we should at least consider the advice of one of the Northwest’s finest steelhead guides, where he provides a brilliant counter to long rod gurus in suggesting most folks would catch more steelhead if they would just effectively fish the water right in front of them.
Fly fishing for trout can really be broken into only three basic elements; Approach, Presentation and Drift. Each element has multiple sub-elements.
Casting is only one sub-element of many falling under Presentation. Let’s not make more out of casting than that. Learn how to Apache Cast right now!
Practice it every time you’re on the water. Practice it regardless the species you’re after. Practice it consciously no matter what type of fly you’re casting or method of retrieve. Do this and you’ll catch more fish, I promise…
When I first became a proficient caster I couldn’t wait to be a casting instructor. Years past that stage in life, I’m content to be a fly fishing instructor…After all isn’t that what folks really want to do?
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