...

New Fly Guy – Lessons with Lefty

Articles on this site are out of date since some go back to 2006. Regulations and property ownership may have changed since publication. It is your responsibility to know and obey all regulations and not trespass on private property.

I’ve been doing some reading in a few books and will do a book review on them later.  You can only get so much from the text and static pictures, so I was thrilled when my friend, Dick, offered to loan me his videotape of “Lessons with Lefty”.

Even I have heard of Lefty – a truely notable fly fishing expert and was tickled to pop the tape into the VCR.  The first thing that jumped out was that this tape was really directed at folks who teach other folks to fly fish.  It is all about how to communicate with students and how to effectively share and demonstrate the finer points of fly fishing.  Hmmm.  Maybe this is not the tape I should be looking at.

Since it was already in the VCR, I leaned back and watched.  I’m about halfway through it and have found it to be a priceless tool in getting me ready to hit the stream.  I already know the big points of casting as a result of a little practice and my reading.  What Lefty adds is the fine points that I should pay attention to before I develop bad habits.  Here are some of the key points I have learned so far:

  • Put your thumb, not your finger on top of the rod
  • Watch your hand – if you twist it, the line will go in the direction of the twist
  • Use bright colored line to be able to see what you are doing
  • Grip loosely, do not choke the handle.  Tighten your grip at the top of the backcast and the end of the forecast
  • Point the thumb at your target
  • The direction of the tip when it stops is where the line will go
  • If you are casting right handed, put your left foot slightly in front  

A lot of good info.  I’ll keep watching and summarize the key points.  Here’s the link to the DVD on Amazon.  They also have still have the VHS version

Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Scroll to Top