I have some fly fishing gear I purchased a few years ago and have yet to master a simple double haul cast. I always end up getting frustrated, put down my fly gear and pick up my spinning setups. My loops aren't all that nice and my power seems dismal at best. When I finish my cast the line doesn't roll out like I've seen on the casts of others. I've watched countless people cast and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Any advice for a newb like me?

You might best be served by getting with someone who could watch you cast and give pointers.

That being said, if you feel your loops aren't that great then I'd work on them first. Good loops are a foundation for double hauling.

You anywhere near a Bass Pro or Cabela's?

An hour or two with a good casting instructor will significantly shorten the learning curve and reduce the frustration level.

My advice, is don't worry about double-hauling until you learn to control your loops. In the words of Lefty Kreh, a double haul just throws your mistakes farther. So, first focus on loop control. To learn the basic casting skills, keep the amount of line relatively short. Start with about 20 ft of fly line out of the rod tip (20 ft + 7.5 ft leader + 9 ft rod = ~35 ft cast. Once you can control 20 ft of fly line, then add 1 or 2 feet. As you add line, you'll notice that your cast has to adjust - timing changes, stroke length changes, etc. Starting with a shorter line helps you develope good casting skills to build on.

It is impossible to diagnose a cast on the internet and we don't have space to list everything. But, here is the basic foremat that I use to teach someone to cast.

1. Learn to cast good loops with about 20 ft of line - remember to accerate to a stop (a Stop is very important) [Think "Slow ..... Slow ... Fast . Fast/Stop] and to maintain a straight line path of the rod tip (this means you have to move your hand back and forth with very little wrist rotation) - The fly leg and the rod leg should be parrallel to each other for a good "tight" loop. If the legs of the loop are more round, you have an uncontrolled "open" loop - often caused by either a poor stop or too much wrist rotation.

2. After you learn to create and control the loops, then learn to shoot line.

3. After you understand how to control your loops and you can shoot line, then work on learning the double haul and it will be much easier.

Good luck!

I am near a bass pro, but it's pretty new and they haven't started offering the casting classes. We do have a local certified casting instructor and it would probably be best to go that route but he charges $50 per hour and I'm trying to get as many tips before I do that.

RexW - Thanks for the tips! I will definitely try some of those out. I seem to do fine with short sections of line, it's when I introduce more that things start going down hill. I'm always trying to get more distance, it always seems like the fish are just a little further on the flats.

I know it sounds expense to hire an instructor, but if the local guy is any good, getting a lesson is worth it.

If there is a local fly fishing club near you, you might check with them. Many clubs offer casting classes at various times.

If you are casting well with short sections of line, then slowly add more line. I'm talking one or two feet at a time. As you add distance, you'll have to adjust your stroke length and you'll need to adjust your timiing or pause length to allow the increased line length to unroll. The casting stroke for a 50 foot cast is very different than the casting stroke for a 30 foot cast. Learning to adjust your casting stroke for different distances is just part of learning to cast.

Good Luck!

Rex, you give good advice and set a good guy image for the fly fishing community ...

Which bass pro are you near?

Thanks for the tips Rex. I need to get out there and just practice away! From what I'm told the instructor is the only certified fly casting instructor in the valley, so I will most likely go that route.

Fallin Feathers -it's the one in Harlingen.

go visit the Flyshop down in port isabell. they can help you. and if you are looking for a guide down there, Eric Glass is the man

There are not very many of us down here in South Texas. Pay for one of his lessons - if you feel like you don't take major steps forward, then don't go back. I bet almost immediately he can point out at least one or two major things to focus on to help you get the fly to the fish.

Without reservation I can say that the time and cash I have invested in casting instruction have yielded better returns than any of the gear I have spent money on since I have taken up the sport. Can't recommend casting instruction (from a good instructor) enough.

what Zissou said! x1000

Rex is spot on with this remark. Now mind you I am still a newbie and am still learning but I tried to teach myself by watching you tube videos.
Well last fall I took a hour lesson through Rex and he taught me in hour what I wasn't able to figure out in over a year of trying to figure out by myself. I don't know if Rex is still teaching but I will highly advise Rex as a awesome fly casting teacher!!!!

Rex still teaches, teaches well, and is a nice guy to boot. Sign up with him if you can. It's well worth it.