Fly casting and fly fishing blog
Straight answers from casting instructor Bill Ward on learning to cast, Spey casting, knots, gear and where to fish around the Bay Area.
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Fly fishing for beginners
What gear you need, how the basic cast works, how long it takes to learn and where to practice in the Bay Area.
Fly casting technique: the five essentials
How the cast works, the five essentials behind every good one, the mistakes beginners make and how to practice at home.
Latest posts
Spey casting lessons: how to learn the Spey cast
Is Spey casting hard? Can you practice on grass? Instructor Bill Ward answers common Spey casting questions and explains what a Spey lesson covers.
Where to fly fish in the San Francisco Bay Area
From surf stripers on San Francisco beaches to trout on Putah Creek: where to fly fish near the Bay Area, when to go, and where to practice your cast.
Fly fishing knots every beginner needs
The five fly fishing knots that cover almost everything, from the arbor knot to the improved clinch, with simple step-by-step instructions.
Can you teach yourself fly fishing?
Yes, you can teach yourself fly fishing. Here's the trade-off, the free and paid ways to learn in the Bay Area, and what gear and lessons cost.
How to cast a fly rod farther: the double haul
Casting farther is about line speed and tight loops, not power. How the double haul works, step by step, and how to practice it.