Fun and Games!
by Michael Elsden, Fly Casting Program Lead
March 22nd saw our first ‘Casting Social’ and I’m happy to report that it was very well received by hardy club members who bravely turned out on a windy afternoon. The purpose behind this first event was to have some fun with casting games, get to know each other better, and discuss upcoming casting related activities.
So what precisely is the point of Casting Games? At its most basic, it’s a way of practicing fundamentals with an added element of challenge and fun. Joan Wulff talks about ‘Picking Leaves’ where you select a leaf on a tree and cast until you hit it. Challenging and fun to do, but has the underlying purpose of developing loop control, accuracy, and hand/eye coordination. My own version of ‘tree oriented’ practice requires you to walk through a wooded area while keeping a fly in the air, sometimes casting sideways, always being aware of what’s in front and behind. For added fun, hold your favorite beverage in your line hand while walking/casting and if you make it through the trees without tangling or spilling, you can take a drink and start over.
The ‘Roll, Baby Roll’ game (pictured above) is one I learned from Australian master casting instructor, Peter Hayes. Fiendishly fun, the purpose is to throw tight roll cast loops that will gradually wrap around the planted pool noodle. As the noodle gets more and more wraps, you get close to the target which is where you reverse and start unwrapping (and backing up). This develops tight and focused roll cast loops on both left and right sides.
These are all examples of ‘task based learning’. There’s a challenge, or task, that requires building and honing particular skills in order to complete the game. Fun! One idea we are working on is Fly Casting Golf where we select a Frisbee Golf course and instead of flinging a plastic disc, we cast at each target. Sometimes it will be a distance cast, other times roll casting because you are up against a tree, or maybe curve casting around an obstacle…
How about creating your own fly casting games? We’d love to hear your ideas, bring them along to the next Casting Social.
