Let the journey begin . . .
Casting Tuition
“The only good way to learn to cast is by having a course of lessons with a competent instructor. Fly-casting is about technique, the position of your feet and hands, timing and the correct application of controlled power. So too is golf; and only an idiot would take up golf without having lessons with the club professional.”
Fly-casting done well - a joy in itself
Casting a fly is simply the means by which we deliver our artificial fly to our target fish. However, how well, accurately and efficiently we do this has a direct effect on how successful we are in fishing for and catching it.
Thus, lessons with an instructor will not only make you a better fly-fisher technically, but also, ultimately, help you catch more fish; that said, while casting a fly might be the means to this end, done well, it is simply a joy in itself. Whether for single- or double-handed casting, complete beginner or more advanced, I can help all ages learn to cast well, learn more advanced techniques or simply fix faults.
For beginners, sessions ensure the novice develops not only good technique from the start (upon which to build later), but also the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to fish by themselves. For more advanced anglers, I first discuss with each client what they wish to get out of their sessions – such as to improve existing casts, to learn more advanced casts/skills/techniques to help them fish in more challenging situations or to prepare for a forthcoming fishing trip – and then plan sessions accordingly. All sessions are therefore tailored to each pupil’s requirements, pace of learning and rate of progress.
Lessons are a minimum of 2 hours and, if necessary, include loan of equipment (and rod licence if applicable). Lessons can be either a one-off or a series, and either one-to-one or in groups (with discounted rates for more than one student and groups; and for half day and full day sessions), and can take place either at Avon Springs fishery near Amesbury or at Amport fishery near Andover, all just off the A303 in Wiltshire, 1½ – 2 hours from London.
Casting lessons to match your skill and suit your requirements . . .
Beginners’ Lessons
A series of fly-fishing lessons will ensure the novice develops not only good technique from the start (upon which to build later), but also the necessary knowledge, skills and confidence to fish by themselves.
Advanced Lessons
For more advanced anglers, I first discuss with each client what they wish to get out of their sessions – such as to improve existing casts, to learn more advanced casts/skills/techniques to help them fish in more challenging situations or to prepare for a forthcoming fishing trip – and then plan sessions accordingly.
Individual/Group Lessons
Lessons can be one-to-one or in groups, with discounted rates for more than one student and groups; and for half day and full day sessions.
Find out about single-handed casting lessons
Find out about double-handed casting lessons
Find out about lessons for children
Find out about fly-fishing sessions for schools
Single-handed spey casting
Single-handed Casting Lessons
As a beginner, we would normally start lessons on a still water lake to help develop your casting techniques in a sheltered environment, with wide open grass banks with less vegetation to catch your flies, while still offering a great opportunity to catch and play a fish. Once you are confident on the lake, we will then move onto the river where my role as instructor moves more into guiding, helping you with rivercraft, how to spot fish, how to approach them and how to fish for them.
As a more advanced angler, not only will casting a fly well on a river or chalk-stream enable you to catch more fish, but also the more difficult and bigger fish.
Whether to reach fish feeding under trees or behind obstacles, to land your fly on a precise pocket of water or to eliminate drag, learning how to cast your fly to these harder-to-reach spots will enable you to catch more – and better – trout and grayling. Additionally, learning to Spey cast with a single-handed rod enables you to make efficient changes of cast direction and accurate casts in the very tightest of situations, while learning to cast off both shoulders will enable you to fish from both banks whatever the wind direction. When fishing on still-water, learning to cast accurately will help you catch moving fish, learning how to cast extra distance will help you cover more fish, and learning to turn over the fly consistently when dry-fly or sub-surface fishing will help you feel more takes and land more fish.
Double-handed Casting Lessons
With the array of different casts - not to mention the myriad of double-handed casting styles and techniques - salmon fishing can seem difficult and confusing. It needn’t be.
Whether using traditional Spey lines, Scandi-style shooting heads or short Skagit lines, I can teach the complete beginner or more experienced angler not only how to execute all of the main Spey casts correctly, but also, more importantly, when to use them, and to be able to cast off each shoulder to ensure that you can cast safely and effectively from both banks, whatever the wind direction.
As a beginner, we would normally start lessons on a still water lake to help develop your casting techniques in a sheltered environment and without the complication of moving water! Once you are confident on the lake, we will then move onto the river to learn how to adapt your casting technique to moving water and windier conditions.
Lessons on a river take place on the River Avon in Fordingbridge.
Fly-fishing Lessons for Children
I am passionate about introducing children to fly-fishing, whether simply to encourage them to be outdoors, to learn a new sport or for the mental health benefits it brings (or all three!).
Having been a teacher for 20 years - including being a sports coach - I have the experience, enthusiasm and patience needed to teach children. I am also a Level 2 Angling Trust licensed coach, and I have up-to-date enhanced DBS certification, insurance and first-aid training.
Lessons can be one-to-one or in groups, with discounted rates for more than one student and groups; and for half day and full day sessions.
Fly-fishing Sessions for Schools
I am passionate about introducing children to fly-fishing, whether simply to encourage them to be outdoors, to learn a new sport or for the mental health benefits it brings (or all three!).
During my 20 years as a teacher, I ran fly-fishing clubs and activities in my schools, teaching children how to cast, how to fish and how to tie flies; and taking some of them fishing.
I would be delighted to run fly-fishing clubs in your school.
I am a Level 2 Angling Trust licensed coach, I have up-to-date enhanced DBS certification, insurance and first-aid training.
“As no man is born an artist, so no man is born an angler.”