A golfer teaching fly casting, "Oh &%*$#$#$.
I am an experienced golf instructor who has work with tour players to beginners. Now, I can add teaching fly casting to my resume. My imagination is running wild with possible reactions to that note.... When I describe, or demonstrate, a straight line and smooth acceleration, which seems quite simple to me, my few pupils seem challenged by the concept, especially on the back cast.
So, I had an idea which was new to me, although I am sure not new to the world of fly fishing. A training aid to help the student feel that which I have described and demonstrated. I have constructed a hideously large monstrosity that includes a level piece of PVC pipe sitting approximately 11-12 feet off the ground. This pipe has a 1" groove cut out of it. An eyebolt is screwed into a smaller 4" long piece of PVC and extends through the groove allowing the smaller piece to slide freely inside the larger pipe. I have then attached an inexpensive fly rod to the eyebolt.
The caster can now make forward and back casts "throwing" the smaller piece of PVC inside the long pipe. Tracking is guaranteed and timing easy for them to feel and see. This allows them to use their own words in describing what to feel and do. I am making various sized smaller "slides" to experiment with the best amount of weight resistance inside the slide. I have tried out the rudimentary behemoth on a couple of people who have never fly fished and had tremendous success. These non-fly fishing people have immediately been able to form a loop, both ways.
Perhaps you all have seen this idea before. It's large and ugly to look at but fairly inexpensive to make. I have used pins in some joints to facilitate breaking down and transportation.
It affords many teaching applications such as adding a double haul. This is critical since the focus of my instruction is the more demanding saltwater environment. I am working on the addition of an adjustable "slide" on the side of the frame to allow teaching in different planes.
Quite curious the response to this. Thank you all.....
Phil
Paul-
Quick question. I am stuck with my 5 MED distance. I can carry 82-85 ft ( varies daily) but my loops breakdown terribly beyond this. (To be honest, I have spent most of my time of late working on shorter cast variations for saltwater applications). All my rods are 25 years old. Some friends and I were having a contest at targets recently and one of the others had not brought his gear. He tried both my 7 and 9 wt rods and was not impressed. He said the action was way too slow for him although these were fairly top of the line rods 25 yrs ago. You've talked about the change in rod design in recent years. What is the impact for you, when working on 5 MED distance, of various action rods? Thanks. Phil
