Comments on: Sporting Clays Style “Casting Course” Appearing in Bend: Will it Be Good For Fly Fishing?

By: Oregon fly fishing links this week

Oregon fly fishing links this week — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:10:39 +0000

[...] many modeled after local fishing areas. It’s comparable to golf or sporting clays. Trout Underground says it’s not all bad: After all, is firing a shotgun less “fun” because you’re shooting [...]

By: Steven

Steven — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:16:39 +0000

Sounds like a research road trip is due……

By: Kentucky Jim

Kentucky Jim — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:49:21 +0000

That’s sorta my point, JPL. The Fly fishing/fly casting sport is kinda bifurcating. There are people I know who would rather cast than fish; that ain’t me. There are people who would rather fish, than cast. That’s probably more me. That said, all the time spent at the pond does pay dividends on the stream, at least for me.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:29:24 +0000

@J-PL – I’m beginning to find that the finer the prey, the less they care what’s around. A colleague and I recent tromped around a prize-filled water near dark, only to find trophy fish swimming around us in plain site. From their actions they clearly knew we were there, but didn’t care in the slightest. Yes, spooking may apply in many conditions, but as a result of what I’ve been recently observing I’m inclined to do things like change flies and my approach much more rapidly versus worry about spooking fish.

Hence, I also agree with your disinclination to participate in the ‘games’.

By: Jean-Paul Lipton

Jean-Paul Lipton — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:54:33 +0000

Nice commentary Jim. I will never claim to be a good caster. Lord knows that I should be the one putting in time at the course improving my cast. That said, I know my limitations, and what I can and can’t cast to. I try and fish within those constraints and slowly expand my boundaries. I’d rather learn on the stream and curse myself for blowing a chance at a nice fish with my sloppy casting. Learning to make a difficult cast on a course just holds empty promise for me. I’d rather spook 100 fish, be frustrated, and finally make a great cast to catch one, then learn to make that exact same cast on the course in 10 tries. I think this casting course is a novel idea, it’s just not for me.

By: Kentucky Jim

Kentucky Jim — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:44:51 +0000

Cranky?….You? Oh, Tom, say it ain’t so.

This is interesting, because I think we are witnessing right now the division to which JPL alludes. There are those who like to cast, and those who like to fish. I like both. I sure understand JPL when he talks about the art of the chase.

But maybe you guys are both better casters than I am. A couple of weeks ago, I achieved a personal best – 92′ cast; no tailing loop (those who spend time at the casting pond know that there is no such thing as a 92′ cast with a tailing loop.) Gotta say, that was a thrill. When every thing is working right, you’ve got a well loaded rod, a well-timed haul and good line speed, it’s hard to beat. Last time I was on the river, I noticed that my cast underneath tree branch overhangs was looking pretty good.

So, I’m in favor of it. It sounds like fun, and I’m for fun.

By: Jean-Paul Lipton

Jean-Paul Lipton — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:10:16 +0000

I could see where the casting course would provide benefit to the novice caster; it would serve as an excellent educational tool. For me, I’d rather improve on the stream.

I can see the correlation between this course and the trap range. However, I chose this sport as a means to fish, not to cast. Likewise, I shoot as a means of harvesting birds, not just to shoot. I agree that it is quite enjoyable to shoot clays, however, there is little satisfaction to me to nail a difficult cast if there is no end goal of hooking a fish. The satisfaction in fly fishing for me involves the chase of the fish first, the conveyance comes second. This course would be perfect for the folks who love the art of the cast. In the meantime, this will open up the streams to those who love the art of the chase, myself included.

By: Tom Chandler

Tom Chandler — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:22:26 +0000

Jean-Paul: My first reaction was the same as yours, but I reconsidered. After all, is firing a shotgun less “fun” because you’re shooting clays instead of birds?

In truth, I’m not 100% sure. The act of casting is central to fly fishing, and perhaps the question revolves around our love of the cast as opposed to our love of the hunt.

One thing’s for sure: the Casting Course might be the only place I wouldn’t get a little cranky when someone else hove into view holding a fly rod.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:58:35 +0000

I hereby and formally offer my services as a Casting Course Caddy. My daily fee, though not inexpensive, is negotiable.

By: David Roberts

David Roberts — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:48:30 +0000

I think it is a great idea. I can fish almost everyday but to have a place where you can just cast to practice is well worth it. I need it and am sure (by what I see getting into my boat) a lot of others need it too. I had this idea a couple of years ago to put here on my property but never got around to it. Just may do it yet.
David

By: Ethan

Ethan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:19:23 +0000

I think it sounds like a cool idea. It reminds me of an old saying, “the only thing bad you can do to folk music is not play it”

If you are casting and or engaging in something related to fly fishing, it’s better than not doing it, right?

By: Sporting clays meets fly fishing | Michael Gracie

Sporting clays meets fly fishing | Michael Gracie — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:33:07 +0000

[...] Tom Chandler surmises it’s a positive step: Most of the growth in “outdoor” sports is occurring courtesy a competitive angle (e.g. competitive bass fishing, competitive hunting, “action” pistol events, retriever competition, etc.), yet competitive fly fishing has yet to take hold in the USA (despite several attempts)… [...]

By: Jean-Paul Lipton

Jean-Paul Lipton — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:02:21 +0000

all you guys can migrate over to the casting course and go compete with each other. I’ll stick to the river and hone my skills actually fishing. Hopefully it will be less crowded on the river now with everyone standing in line at the course wearing their tweeds.

By: SMJ

SMJ — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:42:02 +0000

Hire some bikini babes to drive the beer carts, and I’m sure I’d manage to squeeze a round or two into my weekend schedule.

By: SmellsLikeFish

SmellsLikeFish — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:15:05 +0000

I think it’s a great idea, something I would like to have seen at the casting pond I used to frequent when I lived in So Cal. Adding a bit more interest and challenge to the casting environment would likely get some of us “motivation challenged” fisherman out to practice our cast more frequently.

And since it’s being compared to golf, could we expect a 19th hole?