Ninety minutes To 50 In A Stiff Breeze
With the right instructor, you don't have to worry about stiff breezes or feel intimidated by other fly anglers on the river. Here's a brief report about taking my son to Ian James for some fly casting instruction - and afterward, getting an email from my son thanking me for doing so. Of course, the son's auld man picked up some important advice as well. Ninety minutes is all it takes with a great teacher.
My son Colin, who is now 14 years old, has been interested in fly fishing and tying for a long time. However, he lives almost 300 miles away from me so it's not every day, or even every weekend, that I get to take him out. Since I have my own bad habits when it comes to fly casting, I wanted to get Colin together with a professional casting instructor.
This weekend, Colin and I had an opportunity to get together to some fishing. When I found out that he was coming down, I contacted Ian James to ask if there was any possibility I could meet him somewhere in order to get Colin some good instruction.
Ian ended up driving 2 hours from his home to meet my son, and he spent 4 hours with us. And what a great 4 hours it was. It's probably important to point out that Ian has not seen Colin in probably a decade - so in a way, it was like taking out a total stranger. My son was a bit nervous but that was quickly dispelled with some "Big Bald Guy" humour while sitting on the river bank for a few minutes, enjoying the scene and talking. Ian pointed out some of the bugs on the river, and the different types of caddis houses to Colin, while explaining what one might look for when approaching a river to fish it.
I moved to the "background," letting Ian James take my son off into the river to begin his instruction. Now, it's also worthwhile to point out that Colin has had no real fly fishing instruction to speak of - the odd time over the past couple of years, he may have held a fly rod in his hands for a short time, and thrashed the water - but essentially, James was starting with a raw beginner.
I've pointed out in the past that I have fished with Ian James over the years myself - but it was always on the basis of "Let's go spend some hours on the river." I've never wanted to take advantage of the friendship and ask him to give me lessons or pointers - as I didn't pay for the hours of friendship on the river. And teaching folks is an occupation of Ian's; his bread and butter.
Although from a distance I've seen Ian instruct others, I've never seen it up close and personal. To say I was impressed is an understatement. He had my son smiling at his jokes while he took him through the several "phases" of a successful fly cast, focussing on good form and developing good habits, one phase at a time.
Now, when we arrived at the river, I was a wee bit concerned because there was a stiff breeze blowing - and wondered how well Colin would do. After half an hour of casting with Ian at his side, Colin was pushing some nice line regardless of the wind. Within 90 minutes, Colin was casting 40 to 50 feet, mending line like a pro. It was marvelous to watch how effortlessly he was casting. His style and form were multitudes better than my own self-taught style, which of course now has years of bad habits ingrained. I have to admit that I was envious of Colin's casting - his tight loops, and his ability to land the fly over his target zone. And this was all done without any false casting - just picking the line up off the water, backcasting, then forward - and - beautiful it was. And with a stiff breeze blowing, too.
Of course, Colin wasn't perfect every time, and Ian would gently correct him, often with a bit of humour, and Colin would correct the next cast.
Next, it was time to correct some of my mistakes - Ian didn't have such an easy time with a bad habited guy like me. However, I was amazed at some of the things I had been doing incorrectly for years, and how I could get more control over my line in windy conditions. I had always thought that I was letting the rod do most of the work, but Ian taught me how to cast such that I could probably go all day now, without my poor old rotator cuff acting up.
Ian has no clue that I am writing this article. But I do want to publically acknowledge him for traveling so far to teach a kid (and help out the kid's old man) to fly cast. I also want to point out that his instruction and teaching methods are excellent.
I know that a year ago, Ian was putting together short clinics for folks who wanted some pointers on improving their own casting skills - after this afternoon, I can highly vouch for and recommend his services to both beginners and those who want to increase their own skill level. I'm sure there are other excellent instructors in Southern Ontario - but you can be sure you won't find any gimmicks or bull with Ian James.
Ian James' Website: www.ianjames.on.ca/
UPDATE: - After visiting Ian James' website, I discovered that indeed, he is putting together his "All Tuned Up" clinic. I have no idea if there are any slots still available, but I've just sent off an email to book one myself so that I can reinforce some of the things I learned today. The clinic dates are May 6 and 7, 2006, somewhere on the Grand River. More information here: All Tuned Up.
SAD NOTE: It is with deep sadness that we have to report that Ian Colin James has passed away.