I have and do cast in the yard, but not for any long-term practicing of my cast. I have done it after replacing my leader, perhaps to even up my reel, or when experimenting with leaders, also after making rod or guide repairs, or testing a new rod, as was mentioned. You aren't going to shred a line in 15 minutes to be sure.

But, I do think that grass will be way harder on the line than water, so if I wanted to just practice casting, for more than a few minutes, I would go to water and try to catch a bluegill even. I may go this morning, in fact... for practice.

Yeah - I'm still limping from all this money I put into it...I feel like I just voluntarily bought a very expensive head ache. But, I'm sure I'll pick up on it in time. Anyway - yeah, so if the guy at the fly shop says "Don't do this it will ruin your line" then I'm not going to stand there and tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about.

However - you're right, they do teach those classes in the yard - I think it really comes down to how long you'll be practicing. I have a few small ponds near me, and the creeks are only 10 minutes away or so, so I'm not particularly worried about it.

The memories will out way any amount of money you put into fly fishing. My dads not a fly fisher. But the memories I have of going spin fishing with him, are what got me addicted to fishing. Which then turned quicklly into a fly fishing sickness!
X2 what JackM said about yard castin'.

Well said Phish - and I'm sure they will! I remember when I first started spin fishing for trout, I caught 4 opening day. Then I spent two very lonely weeks on the creek everyday after work and caught absolutely no trout. Trust me, it's embarassing when the 7 year old girl 15 feet down is pulling them out and you haven't caught one all day! Then one day it turned on - and I've been hooked ever since! I'm sure it will be the same with Fly Fishing =)

I cast in the backyard all the time and been doing so for many years. I use really cheap line but haven't noticed any damage to it.

I often practice casting during my fishing trips. It is actually the best way to practice. I'll fish out a hole or run on the stream and when I covered it fishing, I'll take some time to make some practice casts....roll cast here, curve cast there, sidearm under a tree branch...

On the water you can practice roll casting, trying to get good drifts casting and mending, casting around over or through obstructions and cover - something you can never do on the lawn. Just forget about fishing for a little bit, and practice.

I went to my local lake to practice casting for a couple hours. Turns out that I can still cast a fly line. I did however catch the same amount of fish that I could have caught in my yard. I still need practice on the catching part. Not even a look on top.

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I do the same. After flogging a hole, you wonder, "how far back under that branch can I get a fly", and you have at it. Then you go retrieve the fly from that branch.

If you only make casts you know you can make, you never improve. Push yourself. Find stuff you think you CAN'T do, and try. What's the worst that can happen, you have to walk out and get it?

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But, won't that just trash the hole for whoever happens to be fishing behind you??? Some people...

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Just to help you out, Jack:

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Dave