Four years ago I found my passion in 'life', a sport called fly-fishing. Not only was I going to be consumed with luring all kind of species of fish to my 'fly', I also soon entered the world of competitive casting.

As a member of the San Jose Flycasters club in San Jose, California, when attending a first meeting at the club, I answered a siren call for a female to be the first on what had been an all male casting team. It is a request that I couldn't let go by, as I have a history of participating in competitive sports. For me this was an opportunity to learn the skill of casting. At the same time I was also looking for a new sport to release my competitive nature. Because of my zeal for competitive casting tournaments I am often asked, yes, but do you fish?

Yes, yes, yes, I fish and I enjoy saltwater fishing as well as freshwater fishing. Where there is fish, regardless of species I will be there for the hunt, which is why learning to cast was important. Having a good cast can allow you to direct your fly to where your target may be hiding, long or short casts. Knowing how to handle a 'shooting line' will allow you to cast good distances and have more time in the water to lure a fish to take your fly. You will have to know the skill of a double haul if you're going to increase the distance of your fly line and you need the double haul for casting with a 'shooting line'. Knowing how to double haul your line, can increase your line speed, and can aid you on a windy day. You do not have to be a competitive caster to fish but having a good cast will in general bring more fish to your fly.

For those of us that are on the ongoing learning process path, having a good cast will aid in learning other fishing techniques good fishing guides can teach you while 'putting you on to fish'. I will often hire a guide when on new waters to aid me in 'hunting' for fish. Guides are often pleasantly surprised and pleased when they have a client that can lay out as nice length of line. They often tell me how frustrating it is to have a client they have to teach basic casting so the client can have the thrill of hooking a fish.

Being of sound mind I began a regime of practice time with my coach Tony Yap at the Los Gatos Creek casting ponds. These ponds are set up for non-fishing only, allowing the public to practice casting. I wish I could say learning the basic cast came easy, but it did take a course of three years to transform my cast to where I knew that rod was an extension of my casting hand. It's like dancing, except your partner is your fly rod. I like thinking that the 'dances' are as varied as the species that I have caught. Casting is a sport and like any skill it evolves over time and practice. I was often going to hear "Kate, it's going to take over 10,000 casts before you move beyond being a rookie". I thought my coach was joking unfortunately he was not.

What does it take to learn the cast? It does not have to take the dedication of practice time I gave the sport (it does if you want to be a tournament caster), but it does take a good casting instructor and it does take practice. Having a coach or a casting spotter can stop what mistake(s) you are making in the moment verse practicing a bad position over and over. It is nice to practice the cast at a casting pond, but learning the cast can also be accomplished on an open field. To practice accuracy, targets can be set up such as hoola hoops or a floating target that you can direct your fly to. There is nothing more exciting than hunting a fish such as a bonefish, that is taking different directions in it's search for food, and have the skill to change the direction of the cast, and direct the fly to where the fish has changed direction or where a new pod of fish has been sighted.

Spending time at the casting ponds can became a leisure pastime. The nature of the cast is rhythmic and my time spent became relaxing, a meditative moment. Most of us live busy lives and life can be demanding, for me casting has become my time to let of go of the day event or if its been a week or more since I have been fishing a tune up for my casting skills. At the casting ponds I often meet up with friends, or take time to help out a new caster. What I like about going to the 'ponds' is the social time spent with fellow fly fishermen talking about fishing destinations or a new fly pattern. I have seen new friendships forged and new fishing partners making plans for a fish trip. I enjoy these times as much as I enjoy going out to dinner with a friend.

Fish on! Having a good cast can give a new meaning to 'Tight lines'!
 
You can find an address of a casting club near you at the following website addresses:

• www.americancastingassoc.org
• www.ggacc.org
• www.fedflyfishers.org

• www.vliegvissen.be

• www.vnv.nu