Hello Folks,
I'm been fly rodding for almost 30 years, but I've come to realize that while I consider myself a pretty good caster, I do have lifelong bad habits and could use improvement, especially in learning to execute a consistently good double haul. Can anybody recommend a good instructor in the Philly area, particularly Bucks/Montgomery counties (a little farther is OK, though)?

THX!

A good place to start:

http://fedflyfishers.org/Resources/Locate/CastingInstructors.aspx

Quote:

Try Tom Cooper at Casting Aspersions.

He is an FFF casting instructor and located in lower Montgomery County. He's a great guy, and I'm sure he can help you tune up your casting.

Check out Ed Jaworowski the best there is:

Ed Jaworowski
Ed Jaworowski is a writer, photographer and an exceptional caster with a passion and a desire to share his skills with others. In addition to teaching casting and fly fishing for more than 30 years, Ed has authored 4 books – “The Cast”, “Troubleshooting the Cast”, “PopFleyes”, and “Essential Saltwater Flies”. He also served as consultant and contributor to “The Complete Book of Fly Fishing” and his writings have been featured in over 200 publications and more than 20 angling periodicals here and abroad since 1977. He has more than 50 years of fly tying experience, has fished and conducted casting clinics around much of the western hemisphere, and is in demand as a speaker. Ed is making significant contributions to the design of TFO rods and related products and is assisting in the development of casting schools and other educational programs.

Lefty Kreh has summed it up nicely by saying: “Ed is a well-rounded freshwater and saltwater fly fisherman who understands fly casting techniques and principles better than any man I have ever met.” Ed recently retired from Villanova University where he was on staff for over forty years and rose to the position of Department Chair/Classical Studies. He and his wife, Michele, have been married for 16 years and reside in Chester Springs, Pa., near Philadelphia. Ed was a bachelor for 51 years, but says, “I have had the unspeakable joy of inheriting Michele’s three wonderful children and three beautiful granddaughters.”

His recent retirement from academia will allow him to devote even more time to his special interest in the things of fly fishing which are on-going as Temple Fork Outfitters.

Much obliged to you guys!

Preacher,
I've been at it for 45 years, and I imagine my casting is worse than yours. Any attempts I've ever made at trying double hauls would make a good comedy video. For most fishing in PA, I don't think you need to be able to dh, though I must admit it would certainly be nice to know how. Hope you find some solid help.

Rich - The double haul is useful for more than just distance casting. It adds line speed, and reduces the work load on your casting arm.

Think about it - if you can spread some of the "work" out of casting to both arms, doesn't it make sense that you could fish longer and reduce fatigue?

Hauling and shooting line can put spots within reach that may otherwise be tough to reach without. An example would be when you have limited room for your backcast, but still need to reach out further. Yes, you can sometimes wade closer, but not always.

Practicing distance casting offers many more benefits than just being able to make those "hero casts". It reveals deficencies in your cast that you can correct to make your cast better at all ranges.

A Federation of Flyfishers (FFF) certified casting instructor has had to demonstrate their abilities in technique and teaching ability to obtain their certification. It's a good benchmark to look for when seeking out help in casting.

A good casting instructor can help EVERYONE improve their casting technique. It's a smart move to strive to improve yourself, as it can only add to your skills, and increase your enjoyment on the water.

Here's a good video on double hauling:

http://midcurrent.com/videos/joan-wulff-the-double-haul/

H.A.

rrt, I find myself fishing long casts on still waters more and more these days, and I occasionally make it out the Jersey Shore, where I've had some success but I've also watched the accomplished casters have a lot more fun than me. And, as I get older my braggadocio has mellowed, and I'm realizing that yes, I do have more to learn. so bring on the tight loops! Cause everything else is getting looser and wider

Well, HA, she certainly makes it look pretty easy and graceful. I will no doubt try to practice it again -- but where no one can see me. Over 45 years, I have developed so many bad habits, I doubt whether God could correct them! When I learned to cast, common wisdom dictated that you cast as though you had a book between your upper arm and your body. I basically am a short-line wrist caster, which serves me adequately on most of the creeks I visit. But, I will try to remember what Joan W. said when I try to practice the dh again. Thank you.
Preacher: I imagine you really do need to do some distance casting in some of the situations you describe. As before, good luck!