Fly Fishing Casting Instruction
Flexible, Fully-Tailored Instruction Sessions for All Skill Levels. Programs are Centered Around Your Goals.
Why do I need casting lessons?
I never cast that far, why do I need to be able to haul?
I can just practice while I’m fishing, right?
Hi, I’m Kalyn Hoggard, a passionate fly fishing enthusiast and certified casting instructor by Fly Fishers International, with the goal of achieving Master Certification. I am currently the FFI Upper Midwest Casting Director. I hear these questions quite a lot, and they are pretty understandable. It is just fishing after all. Becoming a better caster will give you more opportunities to catch fish on the fly, PERIOD.
Whether it’s getting a 30-foot cast to lay out in a head wind, making a roll cast when you have no room to back cast, or just being able to make an accurate shot with limbs, lay downs, and who knows what else in the way, YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE, AND UNDERSTAND CASTING MECHANICS TO BE ABLE TO CONSISTENTLY MAKE THESE CASTS.
When it comes to casting instruction, I pride myself in my flexibility and ability to custom tailor a lesson. I can do a full breakdown of the fly cast for beginners to advanced drills for fishing particular species of fish. So, if you are just starting out, or if you are brushing up before a big fly-fishing trip, then I’ve got something for you.
If fly fishing is your hobby, or if you are considering picking it up, then you don’t want to be frustrated the entire time you are doing it. For most, fly fishing is what you do during retirement, your free time, your vacations, and so on.
Why wouldn’t you put in the extra effort to learn and grow as a fly fisherman so you can fully enjoy your time on the water?
There are many approaches to casting instruction.
Given that most of my instruction involves custom lessons plans, pricing for casting lessons are available upon request only. In order to give you an idea, it’s typically around $50 dollars an hour. Some lessons take a minimum of two hours to complete. I have special offerings for veterans. Contact me for more information.
In-Person Lessons
For beginners, we start out in the grass. We can possibly get on the water for intermediate casters. In-person lessons are great for on-the-spot instruction and can help hone in your casting skills. I will analyze your casting and give you some tips to improve accuracy, distance, presentation, et cetera.
Virtual Lessons
Marty McVey and I are offering a course we are calling “education on the line.” This course allows you to work on your cast at your own pace. We will provide videos you can watch that will be accompanied by a drill, then you will film yourself trying to perform these casts or drills. Afterword Marty or I will do an analysis of your casting and send the video back for you to continue to work on it. We then have periodic zoom meetings where we can iron out any details or field any questions that you have about casting, gear, fishing, and so on.
Mentoring
Marty and I had a bumpy road when it came to finding the right mentor for us in our CI journey. So, we decided to put together a virtual mentoring program for CI candidates. We can start you from becoming a member of FFI all the way through to taking the test. Knowing how to get to the point that you can pass the exam can be a difficult process on your own. With our aid you’ll know what to be working on, and when its time to move on and work on something new. I know that may seem simple, but preparing for the CI Exam can be quite daunting. We will not only work on the performance side of the exam, but on the teaching side as well. If you are interested in becoming a Certified Casting Instructor, then this program and our experience will help you along your CI journey immensely.