Forget videos.
Get a good casting instructor who can watch your cast - we have several in our club who can help and will generally do this for free. Remember videos and books can't provide feedback and that's what you need to learn as well as drills to practice.
As Russell suggests, come to our meeting at the ft worth fly fishers, and we will set you up with a mentor.


Les

I had a friend who learned by watching videos on his phone. He'd go with me to the small lake, "fish" a little, stop and go back to his phone. He'd do this for hours. Apparently, I'm a terrible instructor...

...eh, he's probably right too. I learned everything rogue and on my own, had no help whatsoever, but it took me a few years. I got good because I made a million mistakes. I guess thats why I know how to do it in my head, but relaying it to people seems to bring nothing short of frustration.

If I were you, want to shorten the learning curve and not make your initation a frustration, I'd get some hired knowledge. Either a casting instructor or a guide, take your pick.

Thanks everyone, all of the positive feedback is very welcoming. I am going to plan on attending the meeting here in Fort Worth next week. Looking forward to it!

John

Welcome to the best addiction anyone could possibly have.
You will love the FW club and they have a huge amount of talent that they enjoy sharing.

To clarify the above in bold; no Texoma on the Fly just a Rendezvous.

John, you've already gotten some good advice. Here's a quick summary of some of the options that are available.

- I definatly recommend the Fort Worth club. Les's mentor offer would be hard to pass up.

- Bass Pro Shop at Grapevine has about an hour long fly fishing class on Saturday mornings. It is a good introduction class and it is free. They include a short casting lesson. Cabela's has ff'ing classes, but not on a regular basis.

- The Red River Rendevouz on Jan 21 at Bonham state park. I know it is a long way from Ft Worth, but there will be a lot folks willing to help you there.

- I agree with a Les, a good casting instructor will help shorten the learning curve significantly. The FWFF'ers have several in their club, Steven W. at Backwood's in Ft Worth, Tailwaters in Dallas has some good instructors, the FFF website lists other instructors in the DFW area, and I have classes periodically in McKinney and Sherman and I would be happy to help you sometime.

- Another date to put on your calendar is Fly Fish Texas on the second weekend in March. It is the largest fly fishing event in Texas and is held in Athens, TX. It is well worth the trip.

- Obviously I'm biased, but I recommend working with a casting instructor before hiring a guide. Time on the water with a guide is rare and precious to me and I would rather spend that time fishing and learning to fish better instead of spending it learning to cast.

Good luck and have fun!

I wasn't knocking casting instructors, but unless you can find one that will help for free, it can get expensive at $20-30/hour. I was just stating how I learned. There are many possible ways to learn. It helps to make as many friends as possible that have been fly fishing for a while to give you a little bit of help. I still think the videos are a good way to learn new things though. Good luck at the FW meeting.

I agree that videos can be great for learing new fly tying techniques and initial tying instruction. As for fly casting, they can be useful for more advanced casters in showing differnt styles or for trouble shooting.
Not so much for the beginner- he/she needs to have the cast broken down to understand when, why, and where line load is happening- live instruction with an experienced caster watching and offering feedback is a better choice. And for the most part there are tons of free clinics- Rex has several upcoming lined up on weekends.

Les

Anywhere with water is a great place to practice.
If you can afford a casting instructor or a guide they're worth it. If not don't discount the free clinics and stuff they are just as valuable for information.
Also go introduce yourself at the local fly shop. Just chatting with those guys/gals will provide you with a wealth of info on where to go, what to use, who to meet. Plus you might make a new fishing buddy.

Good luck to you and welcome to the addiction

I sure didn't think you were making any negative comments.

Casting instructors can be hard to find and some of them can be expensive. But I think that one of the biggest benefits of being active in the local fly fishing clubs and the FFF - access to casting instructors. All three of the DFW area clubs offer free casting lessons at various times during the year.

There are some good DVD's out there and they can helpful (ones by Lefty, Joan, etc). But the Utube videos are hit-or-miss. There are some good utube videos, but there are a lot of bad and some that are just plain wrong videos out there too. If you go the Utube video route, pick carefully.

As Les mentioned, I don't charge for casting lessons, but my real job does limit my availability and I ask that you come to me.

I echo all the above comments - take advantage of the fly CCI instructors in the area and participate in club activities.
When I first began serious fly fishing on Texoma many years ago there were no fly fishing guides and no fly shops in Dallas - Hunter Bradley closed and was before Orvis and West Bank opened - told you I was old ....
I was taught to fly cast by Lefty video - "Lessons with Lefty" - still be best instructional vid out there IMO.

Go with Rex - he straighened out my self taught bad casting habits - good guy!!!

Thanks everyone, seems like a very helpful, open minded group of gents here.

I could have been more descriptive about the vids that I used and they were mainly vids of Lefty. Sorry for any confusion. I agree that having hands on feedback is best. I was picking up the fly rod at the end of culinary school, and I didn't have much money then and chefs don't make a great wage for the amount of hours they work. I totally agree with going to the local fly shop because I met many people that I stay in contact with even though I moved 2000 miles away. It does help to get a new fishing buddy that will help with your casting although you may want to be wary because some have bad habits that will be translated into your cast. I was fishing a small creek in San Antonio the other day and had three newbies come in. I quit fishing and helped two of them cast and showed them the difference between a huge, heavy pflueger and my sage with casting. I never take time on the water for granted and I am always willing to help someone, but I am also not a certified instructor.
To clarify even further, I would get a casting instructor if it is feasible and within your budget, but, as in my case, I used the Lefty Kreh videos on youtube and some friends that I met from the local fly shop to help with my cast. I also took a guided trip 3 weeks after picking up a fly rod and it is hard to think about your cast when you are hoping that a big steelie is going to choose your fly. I go to a park near my house and practice in a large area of open grass when the water is off or just for the hell of it to get better at placement. I like to take a light cardboard box and cast to it. I choose a light box so the wind, when not to great, can move it about and change my technique to get to the target.

Good luck all in the new year and tight lines.