Guys,
I am not really good in casting. My cast suck!!. My back cast terrible Need some opinion from all casting experts out there. I notice we tend to focus more on distance casting, especially for beginner, as if distance if the key in fly fishing. You can’t get distance, forget it. Are we sending the wrong message to newbie? Is distance really really important in flyfishing?
quote:
Originally posted by alpocot
Guys,I am not really good in casting. My cast suck!!. My back cast terrible Need some opinion from all casting experts out there. I notice we tend to focus more on distance casting, especially for beginner, as if distance if the key in fly fishing. You can’t get distance, forget it. Are we sending the wrong message to newbie? Is distance really really important in flyfishing?
yes i would say u need distance in most scenerio in malaysian waters. the angler is like a police car with the siren and the fish liken to the thieves.. once they hear the siren, they all run far far away…
so the ability to cast distance is similar to having long-range artillery in war. long-range artillery and stealth is the trend in today’s war.
so for the malaysian flycaster, long range and stealth is important.
Yes.. bro,
… not only our water… place like Maldives, water are superb clear.. you see them, they see you too..
My back cast sucksssss too… but I think, practice make perfect.. distance will come naturally… providing we have a proper instructor to ‘advise’ us…
To all the newbies.. do not rush, learn the correct fundalmental of casting.. practice more…distance will naturally come when you are ready…
if you want superb distance, use surfcast rod.. distance could reach 150m above.. no need false cast.. keh keh keh keh…
-saya seorang beginner-
Alpocot, this distance in ‘distance casting’ thing is very subjective actually. Maybe you can define what is meant when you refer as ‘distance casting’? Coz your, my & others’ comprehensions of this ‘distance casting’ may differ… [^]
As for me, any cast that is made more than what is actually needed (in fishing) is distance casting. So it can be >100ft or >80ft or even >50ft. Looking at our fishing ground here in Malaysia, personally I think, anything more than 80ft is unnecessary. But others might opinionate differently so all inputs are very much welcomed… [;)]
And I understand that this distance issue that is raised in this thread is applied more towards fishing-wise rather than competition-wise? Maybe you can clear that up to. Cheers… [;)]
P/S: Please, I meant no offense to people who achieve distance for competition purposes. Keep that up! I believe that is a good sport… [;)]
I think I can sense Alpocot’s worry in this issue. I have quite a few friends who gave up fly fishing completely because certain people told them “they cant fly fish if they cant get distance”! So this distance thing is technically a plague now - preventing, scaring & discouraging the young 'uns from venturing into fly fishing. They’re afraid they can’t achieve ‘fundamentals’ because ‘distance’ is already stigmatised & included in those ‘fundamentals’… [:I]
Well, I guess distance is important to an extent. But not that ‘really really’ important because I can’t think of any fly fishing venue in Malaysia which regularly needs casting distance of more than, lets say… 50ft. I mean, lets take MFN for instance, in all the local fly fishing reports & photos here, I hardly see any place that regularly or even needs a presentation distance of more than 50ft to reach the fish. Maybe someone can enlighten me on that one ('coz I don’t get SIGNIFICANT fish that much, I don’t read or watch that much… hell, I’m not even a decent fly angler! So need guidance all the time… [:o)])? Thanks in advance… [;)]
And remember, nowadays we have a thing called boat which is much much more practical than the furthest of casts… [:D]
P/S: Personally, I realised I suck at casting. Oh hell, according to a person, I suck & misled at all things fly fishing! But one thing I do know, I don’t give a rat’s piss about “casting 'til my backing’s out”! Cheers… [;)]
quote:
Originally posted by alpocot
Guys,I am not really good in casting. My cast suck!!. My back cast terrible Need some opinion from all casting experts out there. I notice we tend to focus more on distance casting, especially for beginner, as if distance if the key in fly fishing. You can’t get distance, forget it. Are we sending the wrong message to newbie? Is distance really really important in flyfishing?
Hi alpocot,
“Is distance really important in fly fishing?”
Imho, not really … unless you are going for distance casting comps.[:)]
If we are talking “fly fishing” then I’d say it depends</font id=“red”> on a few factors, …like where you fish and what is your target fish, as this will determine factors like the environment and the choice of rod setup, and the size of tippet and fly.
If using a 7 wt. and above outfit casting for Bones or Tarpon in clear skinny water, or in large reservoirs or even in fisheries like Kakilai (have not been there, but I’m hazarding a guess), then a cast of over 70 ft. would be an advantage.
On the other hand, going after those jewels in our mountain streams using a 2 or 3 wt outfit, there’s no need to cast more than 30 or 40 ft. most of the time…where got place to backcast unless you are upstream nymphing?[:D]
Thus I would say “yes, go learn the basics of good casting and a few different types of cast” … how far? … I would say “how accurate” is more relevant.[;)] … so just go get a decent outfit and go fly fishing and ENJOY![:D]
<><ICHTUS><>
quote:
Originally posted by tonyweequote:
Originally posted by alpocot
Guys,I am not really good in casting. My cast suck!!. My back cast terrible Need some opinion from all casting experts out there. I notice we tend to focus more on distance casting, especially for beginner, as if distance if the key in fly fishing. You can’t get distance, forget it. Are we sending the wrong message to newbie? Is distance really really important in flyfishing?
Hi alpocot,
“Is distance really important in fly fishing?”
Imho, not really … unless you are going for distance casting comps.[:)]
If we are talking “fly fishing” then I’d say it depends</font id=“red”> on a few factors, …like where you fish and what is your target fish, as this will determine factors like the environment and the choice of rod setup, and the size of tippet and fly.
If using a 7 wt. and above outfit casting for Bones or Tarpon in clear skinny water, or in large reservoirs or even in fisheries like Kakilai (have not been there, but I’m hazarding a guess), then a cast of over 70 ft. would be an advantage</font id=“red”>.
On the other hand, going after those jewels in our mountain streams using a 2 or 3 wt outfit, there’s no need to cast more than 30 or 40 ft. most of the time…where got place to backcast unless you are upstream nymphing?[:D]
Thus I would say “yes, go learn the basics of good casting and a few different types of cast” … how far? … I would say “how accurate” is more relevant.[;)] … so just go get a decent outfit and go fly fishing and ENJOY![:D]
<><ICHTUS><>
tony koko,
would like to add on that. in Kakilai…the fishes are becoming more spooky, and they stay right out there…right out there where the spinboys/baitcastboys are at home. so with reference to this instance…distance is an advantage. i’m saying it’s an advantage, and not a must, as i’ve personally had takes right at my feet, literally! GTs swim right up to the banks to chomp on the smaller fish, and Mjs sneak right up to the banks as there are crabs scavenging around.
looking at some videos of mat sallehs casting for trout…i’ve noticed distance is secondary to presentation.
so i guess it’s which body of water you’re fishing at…stillwater, running stream…open sea…just my dua sen from my 3 sen bank. [:D]
ToXiCoLoGy iS mY FiELd oF eXpErTiSe
Thanks for the input guys.
Yes, it quite subjective actually. It depend pretty much what type of fishing. As for me, I am doing freshwater fishing,especially on small stream most of the time, just looking for small small fish. I don’t need to cast very far.
I seldom go to saltwater or open water. Last year I went to Bedong twice.This year Kakilai and Kenyir, that’s about it. Maldives… is way beyond my pocket limit bro. It’s for rich and famous fly fishing life style.[:)]
So distance is not that important to me. Being not a good caster, for me, if I can cast 60/70 feet is more than satisfying, plus 7 feet rod and 7 feet leader, it almost 80/90 feet. Unless you are living is east cost, that different story.
Looking for proper instructor to “advice” us also one thing. In Europe or US there are thousands or certified casting instructor you can choose. Eventhough the fundamental is the same, but they have different casting style. Sometime it quite confusing too. That’s why some of us looking to internet/dvd. Look at Lefty Kreh and Mel Krieger, Joan Wulf, Jery Siem, Steve Rajeff, Ed Joworoski, Bruce Richard, Paul Arden, Charles Jardine, Jason Borger, Simon Gawesworth just to name the few fly caster that come to my mind, they have different casting style. This person will say one thing and the other will say another thing and sometime we can’t blame newbie if they think fly fishing is difficult.
quote:
Originally posted by tonyweeHi alpocot,
“Is distance really important in fly fishing?”
Imho, not really … unless you are going for distance casting comps.[:)]
If we are talking “fly fishing” then I’d say it depends</font id=“red”> on a few factors, …like where you fish and what is your target fish, as this will determine factors like the environment and the choice of rod setup, and the size of tippet and fly.
If using a 7 wt. and above outfit casting for Bones or Tarpon in clear skinny water, or in large reservoirs or even in fisheries like Kakilai (have not been there, but I’m hazarding a guess), then a cast of over 70 ft. would be an advantage.
On the other hand, going after those jewels in our mountain streams using a 2 or 3 wt outfit, there’s no need to cast more than 30 or 40 ft. most of the time…where got place to backcast unless you are upstream nymphing?[:D]
Thus I would say “yes, go learn the basics of good casting and a few different types of cast” … how far? … I would say “how accurate” is more relevant.[;)] … so just go get a decent outfit and go fly fishing and ENJOY![:D]
<><ICHTUS><>
Really really agree with you tony
i agree with u bro! but no need to see far far..
everytime i fish with pak amin…i feel like throwing my whole fly setup into the pond! hahahahahah
everytime i see dron’s flies…i feel like throwing away all my fly-tying stuffs!
but then again, everyone has their own learning curve. i’m glad i took up fly-fishing.
ToXiCoLoGy iS mY FiELd oF eXpErTiSe
quote:
Originally posted by alpocotMaldives... is way beyond my pocket limit bro. It's for rich and famous fly fishing life style.[:)]
Bro Alpocot, this statement is also very misleading to newbies. I’ve been to Maldives twice AND I’m neither RICH nor FAMOUS. [:D] Anyone can go. It’s affordable place to visit. Just a matter of interest.
Is distance casting important? I personally think so. I try to achieve distance casting, not for competition sake. But for my own personal satisfaction.
Anyone can pick up a fly rod, thrash the rod around and achieve 30-40 feet…even 60-70. But to achieve 100 feet effortlessly, requires that litle bit more.
We want newbies to learn to achieve 100 feet…not because they can catch more fish when they can cast far…but because we want them to learn the proper casting technique.
If you got a good backcast, load the rod properly…100 feet is not a problem.
By all means, I’m no perfect caster either…my cast sucks too…but I want to better myself. Sure I can still catch fish if i cast 30 feet but would you be satisfied with that?
It’s up to you…no one can tell you otherwise.
Whenever I talk to beginner, I never tell them that distance casting is important. I tell them to concentrate on the fundamentals, get their casting stroke right because when they do, the distance will come naturally.
–
Betul.. betul.. betul…
Thanks for the input from all the sifu…
quote:
Originally posted by riki_rahman
I think I can sense Alpocot's worry in this issue. I have quite a few friends who gave up fly fishing completely because certain people told them "they cant fly fish if they cant get distance"! So this distance thing is technically a plague now - preventing, scaring & discouraging the young 'uns from venturing into fly fishing. They're afraid they can't achieve 'fundamentals' because 'distance' is already stigmatised & included in those 'fundamentals'... [:I]Well, I guess distance is important to an extent. But not that ‘really really’ important because I can’t think of any fly fishing venue in Malaysia which regularly needs casting distance of more than, lets say… 50ft. I mean, lets take MFN for instance, in all the local fly fishing reports & photos here, I hardly see any place that regularly or even needs a presentation distance of more than 50ft to reach the fish. Maybe someone can enlighten me on that one ('coz I don’t get SIGNIFICANT fish that much, I don’t read or watch that much… hell, I’m not even a decent fly angler! So need guidance all the time… [:o)])? Thanks in advance… [;)]
And remember, nowadays we have a thing called boat which is much much more practical than the furthest of casts… [:D]
P/S: Personally, I realised I suck at casting. Oh hell, according to a person, I suck & misled at all things fly fishing! But one thing I do know, I don’t give a rat’s piss about “casting 'til my backing’s out”! Cheers… [;)]
Bro Riki…if your friends gave up fly fishing just because of these certain people who say that distance is everything, then they are mixing with the wrong type of fly fishers. [:p]
–
Bro,
Just some info to share…( jangan marah ya.. )
Fishing in Maldives are actually quite ‘expensive’… the boat fare plus air ticket per head was about RM 3,800 in April last year ( my first trip )… but I can tell you bro, you can go for 10 local outing… each time spent about RM500… in total.. you be spending about RM5,000… yet… no guarantee that you will catch fish…
I was doing spinning from the surf ( belum start fly fishing ).. I really lost count how many fishes I have landed.. I think the best day was about 60 plus for just 8am till 4pm.. average about 7.5 fishes were landed each hour…
Compared with result from our local trips… for a full 6 solid days of fishing, full flow of food and drinks.. action from morning till mid night… plus the beautiful sceneries of island and beach… priceless…!!!
Never only do fly fishing at Maldives… spinning, jigging, popping, bottom… and fly fishing… all in a trip.. mana mau cari lah…??? Imagine.. a 20kg GT at surf from my first pop.. ( popper goes to heaven after that…)
It’s a priceless memory that I brought back…
Bro, plan a trip there… just need to cut down some local trip… save the bullet for the Maldive.. you will never regret…
quote:
Originally posted by tangyp
Bro Riki...if your friends gave up fly fishing just because of these certain people who say that distance is everything, then they are mixing with the wrong type of fly fishers. [:p]
Sifu Andrew, u’re certainly right on this one.
Apparently there are few souls in Malaysia who really are misleading the newbies… and one of the culprits can also probably be me. I may not realise that - and with that I truly apologise… [:I]
That is why I’m strongly hoping the Malaysian Fly Fishing Club will be established soon so that we’ll have a proper guidelines & also properly allocated persons to be references regarding all things fly fishing… [;)]
It will also be a place where all fly fishers can gather & discuss & share & enjoy fly fishing no matter how different their perceptions in & about fly fishing is. And since our community is mightily small compared to other genres of fishing, wouldn’t that be something that we all want…? [;)] [:D]
quote:
Originally posted by dron.fly
Bro,Just some info to share…( jangan marah ya.. )
Fishing in Maldives are actually quite ‘expensive’… the boat fare plus air ticket per head was about RM 3,800 in April last year ( my first trip )… but I can tell you bro, you can go for 10 local outing… each time spent about RM500… in total.. you be spending about RM5,000… yet… no guarantee that you will catch fish…
I was doing spinning from the surf ( belum start fly fishing ).. I really lost count how many fishes I have landed.. I think the best day was about 60 plus for just 8am till 4pm.. average about 7.5 fishes were landed each hour…
Compared with result from our local trips… for a full 6 solid days of fishing, full flow of food and drinks.. action from morning till mid night… plus the beautiful sceneries of island and beach… priceless…!!!
Never only do fly fishing at Maldives… spinning, jigging, popping, bottom… and fly fishing… all in a trip.. mana mau cari lah…??? Imagine.. a 20kg GT at surf from my first pop.. ( popper goes to heaven after that…)
It’s a priceless memory that I brought back…
Bro, plan a trip there… just need to cut down some local trip… save the bullet for the Maldive.. you will never regret…
Can’t agree with u more, Master Dron. It might involve a lotta money but I guess the money is worth every cent… [;)]
But Alpocot doesn’t really do saltwater - he’s almost a true-blue freshwater fly angler. No amount of Maldives or Bonefish can drag him back. He’s already ‘beyond help’… hahahaha! [:p] [:D]
quote:
Originally posted by dron.fly
Bro,Just some info to share…( jangan marah ya.. )
Fishing in Maldives are actually quite ‘expensive’… the boat fare plus air ticket per head was about RM 3,800 in April last year ( my first trip )… but I can tell you bro, you can go for 10 local outing… each time spent about RM500… in total.. you be spending about RM5,000… yet… no guarantee that you will catch fish…
I was doing spinning from the surf ( belum start fly fishing ).. I really lost count how many fishes I have landed.. I think the best day was about 60 plus for just 8am till 4pm.. average about 7.5 fishes were landed each hour…
Compared with result from our local trips… for a full 6 solid days of fishing, full flow of food and drinks.. action from morning till mid night… plus the beautiful sceneries of island and beach… priceless…!!!
Never only do fly fishing at Maldives… spinning, jigging, popping, bottom… and fly fishing… all in a trip.. mana mau cari lah…??? Imagine.. a 20kg GT at surf from my first pop.. ( popper goes to heaven after that…)
It’s a priceless memory that I brought back…
Bro, plan a trip there… just need to cut down some local trip… save the bullet for the Maldive.. you will never regret…
Marah? You talking about me ah, bro? Aiyah…to marah and lose friends over fishing is SILLY isn’t it? haha [:D] We having friendly discussion lah.
Anyway, as to Maldives being “expensive”…well..I guess all the reasons Dron mentioned above deemed the place “affordable” to me. Yes…cut down on a few local trips and this place is surely doable.
It may hurt the wallet a litle bit but guys…once u hit the beach and look at the crystal clear water at the flats and you see that big fish swimming 50 feet away from you, ah… the feeling is orgasmic, bro. Just ask Dron. haha After his first trip, he kena poison cukup cukup liao. [:D]
But let me say this…my first Maldives trip was pretty humbling to me. If I can cast 50 feet at the padang or at the local freshwater lakes, I could manage only 20-30 feet in Maldives. That’s because sometimes you are wading up to waist deep in water. The wind factor also does not help. So I would advise those going to really brush up on your casting stroke…ESPECIALLY your backcast.
–
Talking about expensive guys, I am currently at kelana jaya stadium for fuel hike protest. Just imagine with high cost of living, can’t really afford expensive rod/reel and expensive trip.
quote:
Originally posted by alpocot
Talking about expensive guys, I am currently at kelana jaya stadium for fuel hike protest. Just imagine with high cost of living, can't really afford expensive rod/reel and expensive trip.
Ya, agree with u on this one. [:p]
–