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Sporting Clays Style "Casting Course" Appearing in Bend: Will it Be Good For Fly Fishing?

By Tom Chandler 9/3/2008

If sporting clays competition and fly fishing had a love child, would it look something like Orvis' just-announced Old Mill Casting Course?

Old Mill Casting Course Map, Bend, OR
The Orvis shop in Old Mill lies at the start and finish of an 18-station casting course.

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).

But competitive casting on a closed, "real-world" style course? Hmmmm.

Let's face it; wild trout and their environs aren't particularly well suited to competitions, but the technical act of fly casting almost certainly is.

And while regular readers know I'm hardly a cheerleader for the fly fishing industry, I do think this is an idea with merit.

We don't force our wild trout populations through the competitive ringer, and I could see weekend competitions acquiring the patina of a social event - much like the action pistol competitions (the fastest-growing shooting sports), where largely low-key competition is almost always followed by a barbecue.

Of course, I see growth in a worthy sport. The fly fishing industry no doubt sees growth in sales of a new line of competition-only fly rods.

How's the course work?


Like golf, each station on the course will have a par score. Depending on the station, experts will be able to hit par in one to two casts, intermediates in three to four casts and beginners in five to six casts.

Scorecards will be distributed at the store, and those with the best scores will have their names affixed to a store plaque, Tibbett said.

The course will be free and open to the public. It is being developed in partnership with The Old Mill District.

"Really, the whole fly-fishing business is abuzz about it because it could be the start of a whole new thing," Tibbett said. "It's been talked about, apart from grass-roots events where you throw a Hula-Hoop on the lawn, but it's never been taken to this level. The Old Mill (District) really has gone out of its way to make this happen."

Did they mention golf? Damnit. Fly fishermen already look ridiculous, and adding lime-green plus fours to our competitive outfits isn't going to help.

I'm trying to get past it.

So I'm putting the question to the Undergrounders (especially those living in urban areas): would a "Casting Course" style competition (with hints of sporting clays, golf, and barbecued food) interest you? Or should urban anglers get used to fishing ditches for carp?

Is this a Big Thing for the industry, or just a recession-mired fly fishing industry making hopeful noises?

As always, Undergrounders, the floor is yours:

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AuthorPicture

Tom Chandler

As the author of the decade leading fly fishing blog Trout Underground, Tom believes that fishing is not about measuring the experience but instead of about having fun. As a staunch environmentalist, he brings to the Yobi Community thought leadership on environmental and access issues facing us today.

15 comments
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[...] many modeled after local fishing areas. It#8217;s comparable to golf or sporting clays. Trout Underground says it#8217;s not all bad: After all, is firing a shotgun less “fun” because you're shooting [...]
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Sounds like a research road trip is due......
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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.
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@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 ... more 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'.
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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 ... more 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.
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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 ... more 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.
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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 ... more 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.
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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 ... more I wouldn't get a little cranky when someone else hove into view holding a fly rod.
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I hereby and formally offer my services as a Casting Course Caddy. My daily fee, though not inexpensive, is negotiable.
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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
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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?
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[...] Tom Chandler surmises it#8217;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)#8230; [...]
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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.
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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.
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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?
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