Fly Fishing Introduction with Chris Derkas

Event Information
Last day to buy tickets
04/11/2024, Midnight, (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) Ticket sales have ended
About event
Chris Derkas, retired Park Ranger and avid fly fisherman. Has taught beginners the art of fly casting and fishing for over 12 seasons at the Burlington County Parks System, in Eastampton, NJ.
Chris instructs the basic mechanics and techniques necessary for people to have a base foundation to be able begun their fly-fishing adventure.
Areas covered in class will include equipment needed. Flys needed to use and when to use them, how and why to use them. The forward cast, the back cast and importance of both. Casting from the banks of a creek using a roll cast will be demonstrated.
There will be time to use equipment and get a good foundation for getting on the water.
Please bring your own equipment if you have it, there is limited number of rods and reels for use during class.
Explore the fun of fishing and being on the water.


Fly Fishing

Fly Casting Introduction 

Time Limit:  2hrs Total

Equipment-Time 20min

Table, easel, 40ft Yellow rope, hula hoop, loop illustrations, fly illustrations, paper plate.

Rods- several different weights (3 wt., 7 wt., 8 wt.)  Explain differences from spinning rods.

Reels- explain difference in how holds fly line.

Line and Tippet-   differences and knots to attach, tippet importance and function.

Flies- different kinds (dry, wet, streamers and nymphs)  

Other equipment-   Waders, vest, fly box, tippets, pliers.

** No need to go crazy-inexpensive alternatives, beginning rigs (pflueger intro set @ Dicks)

 

Casting- Time 40 min total.

Part 1- 20 min

Objective- Accuracy, distance and presentation.

Throw a fly- Demonstrate how a fly needs line to move.

Arm motion- No wrist, start with 10 o’clock & 2 o’clock, smooth easy motion.

*** no absolute correct way, learn basic motion then develop own style.

End of rod tip points to direction of cast.

Explain objective of cast-placing of fly, explain a loop (tight and open)

Practice with a dowel and yarn-loops and parallel to ground.

** time for individual practice.

Part II-20min

Explain what a false cast is and why and when to use it.

Explain how a back cast relates to a forward cast and demonstrate open and tight back cast loop.

Why stand in stream to cast?   Room for back cast.

Shooting line-how to get line out.

Explain 40ft rule-no need to throw 90ft when most fish are caught within 40ft.

Demonstrate upright, side arm, ¾ on plane cast.

Back cast-use hitch hikers' technique *** again no absolute.

Smooth easy motion-power comes from short backward and forward snap-look for results, not form; watch for tailing loops that can rob distance and accuracy.

Demonstrate double haul and distance by shooting line.

Targets- land line on paper plate at 40ft; use 40ft rope to demo 10 and 2; Hula hoop forward and back cast; distance over 60ft-different casting motion past 10 and 2.

** time for individual practice

STREAM PRESENTATION- 60 min.

Explain proper position to cast from in stream.

Reading the water-estimate where fish may be and where they would feed.

Presentation-smooth casts to prevent spooking fish.

Roll cast- explain where and why to use.

** Time for individual practice.