Flycasting Skills contains all of the casts that were previously available to download as study sheets from this website, plus a lot more in-depth information on casting in general, for single and two-handed fly rods. The format is easy to follow with diagrams, like the example shown below, and tips on how to accomplish each cast.

There are also many helpful sections on such topics as fly rod characteristics, fly-lines, casting in tricky situations and modern techniques.

All of the popular (and some less orthodox) casts are included in the book with descriptions for both the single and two handed fly rods; left and right-hand bank; in all cases. The casts include…..

• Overhead
• Static Roll
• Jump Roll
• Single Spey
• Double Spey
• Snap T
• Snake Roll

Order your copy today and find ways of improving your casting!

Published by Merlin Unwin http://www.merlinunwin.co.uk ISBN 978-1-906122-49-2 and will be available from all good booksellers from 1st March 2013 – price £9.99.

Sample content…

Single Spey cast (single-handed)

When fishing from the left hand bank, the right hand is used in the conventional manner for a right-handed caster but fishing from the right hand bank then it is necessary to cast across the body. Face in the direction of the forward cast (for stability and comfort the one foot may be pointing slightly downstream whilst the other points across stream). The upper body should then be turned to face downstream and the casting arm should be hanging down in a relaxed manner.

The rod tip should be close to the surface of the water so that there is no slack in the fly-line [1].The first move involves lifting from the elbow and slowly sweeping the fly rod in towards the bank using your wrist [2]. The length of this initial back sweep is determined by the change of the direction angle. It will also help to lift the fly-line off the water. The in-swing also increases sweep length when the fly-line is aerialised and helps to achieve good anchor placement. After this preparatory sweep, the rod is moved in the opposite direction so that it sweeps out into midstream. The force used will load the fly rod and then carry the fly-line as the line tip is released from the water. Rotating the body round to the forward casting position [3], continue to sweep the rod tip out and round until it is over the anchor point and then accelerate and circle up [4], by lifting the elbow, to form a D-loop. The tempo of the cast should then be slowed to allow the D-loop to form fully [5].

The success of this cast depends upon the initial sweep into the bank, followed by the wide sweep around across the river (no short cuts), the rapid acceleration of the fly rod backwards as the D-loop is formed, which also pulls the anchor back, and these are all achieved by manipulating the wrist.

Angling for Youth Development (AFYD) Ireland, is a pilot programme being developed at present which aims to introduce young people to angling in a bid to grow the sport in Ireland and promote social responsibility. Its pilot scheme in Waterford continues to go from strength to strength. Inland Fisheries Ireland with the Angling Council of Ireland and other organisations of committed anglers are working together bring angling into the schools and youth clubs of Ireland. GAIA (Game Angling Instructors Association) and FFF ( Federation of Fly Fishers) are both giving free technical consultancy and support to this latest effort focused on opening the world of angling to Irish youths.

Last week, Waterford City students, from St. Paul’s Community College, began their winter programme at Loch Mahon Fishing Lakes, near Adamstown, Co. Wexford. The students, who were awarded their certificates for completing the AFYD Ireland Introductory Programme by Minister Fergus O Dowd last June, are now stepping up to the intermediate game angling level.

AFYD Ireland is actively seeking new locations to pilot its programme and interested Fishing Clubs, Youth Groups and Schools should contact ACI coach coordinator, Der Casey MCI, at der.casey@anglingcouncilireland.ie, GAIA Representative Philip Maher at philip@fishhunt.ie or Mark Corps, IFI at mark.corps@fisheriesireland.ie to find out how they can get involved.

Kilsheelan’s iconic Castle Beat will be the venue for a day of workshops and demonstrations in fly casting on Saturday SEPT 15th. This event is open to all.

Some of the worlds top casting instructors will be on hand lead workshops on

•             Czech Nymphing

•             Long line Nymphing

•             Streamer Fishing

•             Skagit casting

•             Aerial Mends

•             Distance casting

Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Master Casting Instructors from Germany, Holland, Italy and the US will work with Irish and British masters to provide quality tuition.

The day will provide Irish anglers with the opportunity to book one to one tuition on Sunday 16th with their preferred master instructor.

The Saturday 15th day is free to ladies and juveniles and a nominal cover charge of €10, for men, will be donated to support the work of local angling clubs.

Keith Mc Donnell, APGAI,  brought his new drift boat down to the river Suir yesterday to give it a test run. He bought the boat to help access more water in his self confessed “bonkers pursuit of big river trout”. I was given the dubious, not to say scary honour of riding shotgun on its maiden voyage. Keith, a noted fly tier of distinction, tied on his favourite big fish fly and handed me the rod. I’ll be honest here and admit that between the blow up boat and the scruffy chewed up specimen of a fly I wasn’t expecting much more than a good soaking in the fast flowing and swollen river.

But 10 minutes into our first drift down at Kilsheelan, imagine my surprise when we hooked this stunning trout. The fish weighed 7lbs 4oz and put up an incredible fight: tail walking, jumping and taking us a long way downstream before finally netting him. The fish was released unharmed. We also got a 6lbs Salmon but we didnt care too much about that!

 Keith described himself as “thrilled with how the boat behaved, it handles like a sports car” Personally, I prefer the more stable comfort of my own river boat. I did however tuck that well chewed streamer monstrosity into my pocket. After all tomorrows another day!