YOU CAN'T BUY A CAST
- Jonas Magnusson
- Oct 8
- 4 min read
A fly fishing set up is costly. Let's look at the ingredients. The fly itself isn't so expensive, especially if you tie one yourself. Let’s say that the fly costs $5, a nice round number. Now we need a leader and we peg it at $10.
On to the fly line itself, and we can easily fork out somewhere from $100-180 for a quality fly line.
The line is connected to the reel through to the so-called backing, and we spend $10-20 on that item.
Now for the reel. They come in a lot of different prices depending on quality, brake power, and size. The cheapest reels that are usable retail around $150, and then the coveted quality and bragging rights reels will take you to $1,200. Let's put a $200 reel on our outfit.
Then there is the rod itself. I like to organize them into 3 levels of cost. Entry-level rods cost up to $200. Mid-level 200-500$ and then the top-level rods retailing for $500 and more. By and large, the expensive rods will prove to be the best in the long run, but there are some exceptions.
Most fly fishermen have several rods, let's say three, to multiply whatever cost there is in your setup. These are just some numbers, but we can safely agree that the total cost for a fly fishing setup for the individual angler will probably end up in the thousands.
Now fly leaders and fly lines will wear out, and we replace those as we go along. The rod craze is there too. The industry wants you to buy the latest model, and by reading the ads, you become certain that this one will cure all your casting ailments, right? Then there are the reels. Large arbor - sealed drag, and what not, but you’ve got to have it.
Now there is the cost of the fishing license. Fortunately, this is not costly as a rule, but if you want to fish some private waters or hire a guide, it is going to cost. I am in contact with some guides here in Florida, and they all agree. Most of their clients, despite labeling themselves as fly casters, will have significant problems casting in the salt. Think about it - travel to Florida - hotel - food - guide - plus your equipment, and the fly does not get out there.
Many fly anglers can’t cast the fly. There are several reasons for this, but it doesn’t alter the fact that most anglers are terrible casters. On small streams, it does not matter much if you bungle it out somehow, and the current will straighten your line, and you are in business. With any kind of wind, it will become a total disaster. Here in the salt on the Gulf’s shores, this becomes painfully evident. There are many fly fishermen that have been fishing for years in rivers and lakes but will realize that when fishing the salt, they just can’t do it.
However, the biggest reason for this is that people do not seek lessons. I know, for instance, that just three lessons can help an average caster to become a very good caster. The essentials are going to be the same for a very long time, so good help can last you for life. When you look at the cost of the outfit fly anglers flesh out, it is hard to presume it is because of the cost, but people still do not seek proper instructions. There are, of course, some great casters that have figured it out on their own. Most casters have had some help from friends and fly fishing clubs, including me. This type of learning is, however, fragmented and haphazard and is not based on a platform of knowledge.
There is a program run by FFI whereby budding teachers are taught a certain system of basics. They are then tested and vetted by FFI. This way of organizing is proven and ensures that the licensed casting instructors have a common basis, and this basis is proven as a sensible platform to teach fly casting.
When I started studying in this program (and I was a decent caster at the outset), I had no clue about the so-called 5 essentials. I had inferred something like that during my trial and error stage that became needlessly long. However, when presented with the curriculum of the FFI program, I made a quantum leap in understanding, and my cast was seriously improved. It took a master caster’s a day’s work with me to get me to the next level. On the basis of that teaching, I have been improving my cast little by little. The students that I am now teaching seem to make speedier progress, and I find it easier to teach them and diagnose their ailments.
The other important item you can't buy is the knot.
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