where can I learn to fly cast? For free, hopeully. I've wanted to learn for years now, but never got the chance. I have a rod (9' 5wt, using as crappie pole) and a reel(somewhere around here).

Thanks.

There are plans to offer free casting lessons next Saturday at the Al Crise event at Dinosaur state park in Glen Rose. More details are available in the posting above.

Rex

Also, that will be a fine place to meet folks from Fort Worth and Dallas Flyfishing Clubs. Bass Pro and Cabelas have free weekend clinics.

Guests are always welcome at the Dallas Fly Fishers meetings - including tonight's meeting which, as always, is at the Addison Convention Center at 7pm.

During the longer-daylight months there is informal but high-quality casting instruction on the lawn outside of the convention center from about 6 until the meeting starts. A couple of the members are certified casting instructors (CCI) and they are extremely helpful.

Another thing you might consider is attending a class - get on the mailing list for a couple of the local guides who teach together (Rob Woodruff and Steve Hollensed - Steve being a Master Certified Casting Instructor) and take one of their classes. Still one more thing to do is to hit up RexW, who is not only a CCI, but is also the parent of a CCI, for information about when and where he teaches.

I'll be more than happy to talk to you about the Dallas club whether that's there at the meetings or here or wherever. There are loads of opportunities to learn. Even better, there are loads of opportunities to catch all kinds of fish, so I just don't see how it's possible for anyone to get bored with it.

There's free casting lessons at the BPS locations on weekends.

JR

Do you know if you have to have your own tackle?

I'm pretty sure that BPS supplies the equipment. Just call them for times.

JR

There are multiple opportunities to learn cast around DFW. I'll try to list some of the options. One note, I recommend getting a casting lesson before buying your own gear. Everything that I have listed should have a rod available for the casting lesson. Group lessons are the lowest cost option, but individual lessons will cover more information.


2/6 - Al Crise day at Dinosaur state park, Glen Rose, TX. Al is a master casting instructor who taught most of the casting instructors in the area. I'm sure that every instructor that can possibly get to Glen Rose this Saturday will be there. Jim Bass is organizing the casting lessions that day and already has several instructors lined up to help. The morning would be the best time to get casting help. There is an park fee, but the lessons would be free. Rods will be available.

Every Saturday about 10 am (I think) the Bass Pro by DFW airport has a free one hour fly fishing/casting class. They provide the rods. Call the verify the exact time.

Feb 13/14 - Cabela's will be having a free casting class. (They don't have one every week.) I think it is about 2 pm and I think the Ft Worth club is helping with them.

March 6 - Casting Clinic in Keller, TX. This is an all day casting clinic organized by Jim Bass. If you are serious about learning to cast, this type of all day clinic is how I learned. There will be multiple instructors and a lot of information will be covered during the day. There is a fee for this clinic. www.metroplexflyfisher.com

March 13 - Fly Fish Texas. This is the biggest fly fishing show in Texas and it is worth the trip to Athens, TX. We will be holding one hour casting classes throughout the day. There will also be fly tying, fly fishing seminars, and you can fish for trout in some of the ponds. This is a great event and it is very kid friendly. Park entrance fee only.

June 19 - Texoma on the Fly, Eisenhower state park. We'll have casting lessons in the morning. Other activities include fly tying and fly fishing seminars. Everything is free.

The Dallas fly fishers and the Ft Worth fly fishers both have casting classes throughout the year.

Once it gets warmer, we'll probably have a few casting sessions at one of the parks in McKinney. And we're also planning some sessions in Sherman during the summer.

There are multiple casting instructors in the area. Here are a few of them:

My daughter and I are in Sherman. We're inexpensive but scheduling can be an issue.

Steve Hollensed is a master casting instructor and an Orvis guide on Lake Texoma. Steve is one of the best casting instructors that you will find anywhere. He has individual lessons and he hosts formal classes during the year. http://www.flywaterangling.com/

Long Hair Dave is in the Lewisville area and he can be found on this board. Dave is one of the folks that helped me learn to cast.

I've also worked with Travis and Bart from Tailwater's Fly Shop in Dallas. I like both of them as instructors.

There are a whole lot of other options available in the area, but this should give you a starting point.

Have fun,
Rex

Wow lots of good stuff but take a class or two then go to a big open field and practice.

Plus if you go to BPS in Grapevine at 9am you can learn to tie flies for an hour then learn to cast at 10. Then go back and tie some more flies.

Rex, tremendous stuff! thanks a lot. I wish we'd hooked up when I worked in Sherman.

Sounds like a plan! I think BPS is the best option for me at this point.

Thanks.

I may go for some fly tying next Saturday at BPS Grapevine.