Beginner fly fisher help

Hey wanted to see if anyone in tge tacoma or surrounding area would be able to help me learn how to fly fish. I have all the stuff just having issues casting and need some pointers on tackle and equipment.

What trouble are you having with your cast(s)?  I'm self-taught, too, and can help you figure out where the problem originates if you can tell me what's going wrong.

- Kevin

I have been fly fishing for 20 years.  I would love to help.  Whats happening?

The thing that helped me when I first started fly fishing was watching an instructional video that I picked up at our local library.  After that just getting out often to practice what they taught.

I used a lot of online videos, too, and they were immeasurable help in understanding the fundamentals.  One of the better resources for me was a book "Troubleshooting the Cast" by Ed Jaworowski because - once I learned to cast - it explained what I was doing wrong based on how the line looked as I completed a cast.  Hint: if you decide to take a look at the book, buy the Amazon Kindle edition - the last print run didn't get ink on several pages, but the Kindle version is complete.

To practice, I took a couple of long, thin rubber bands and tied a tippet around them, then trimmed them to about a quarter inch around the knot - it ends up looking like a spider.  It's not a lot heavier than a #10 dry fly and has enough wind resistance that whatever mistakes I make are amplified, and terribly obvious, and I can see them and correct them before they become a habit.

As a bonus, I use my rubber bands to practice in the front yard, where only the dogs are around to snicker at me.

Don't hesitate to ask questions.  An instructor helps - probably a lot - but you can do a great job figuring it out on your own. I held back from fly fishing for a decade because I thought it was just too complicated for my pedestrian brain.  It's not complicated, it's simply different, and I lost ten years of fun and games because I wouldn't ask foolish questions.

There are no foolish questions.

One thing I found hugely helpful was to take video of myself casting early on. Once you get past the screwing up more because "someone" (ie your own self) is watching, which we all do, it really helps. Videos are a great way to learn, but they don't provide feedback, so making your own closes the gap, and for me tightened the loops!

I see you are from Ft Lewis if you are military contact me I can link you up with the local Project Healing Waters group.

I see you are from Ft Lewis if you are military contact me I can link you up with the local Project Healing Waters group.

I was just going to suggest that.

I learned when I was 7 and been at it every since.kinda got thrown to the wolves by my dad lol.my first day I casted for about 3 hrs.biggest thing is don't limp wrist it.your movement should be in your shoulder and elbow. There is always some wrist movement but should be minimal.

And remember don't try to cast to the next county.20-30 is a long cast.most casting will be inside that.start close and work out.