Troutfest will be a great time to improve your casting skills. Casting instruction has always been a popular part of Troutfest. For this Troutfest, the skill levels addressed will be expanded from youth and beginners to include intermediate and advanced casters. Classes covering this wider range of skills will be offered.

IFFF Certified Casting Instructors Gary Davison, Jim Bass, and Carroll Hall will be joined by IFFF Master Casting Instructor, Dayle Mazzarella to conduct hands-on classes. Examples of subjects for youth and beginners are the foundation casting stroke, proper timing, and feeding line. For intermediates, topics such as the double haul and roll casting will be offered. Advanced topics will include using Tenkara rods, aerial mending, and the Belgian cast.

Improve your fishing by improving your casting. Whatever your casting experience, make plans to take advantage of this valuable opportunity at Troutfest. Bring your own casting rods and reels or borrow one of ours.

Casting Class Descriptions

Sign up for some of the following classes taught by the International Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructors. Bring your own equipment or borrow one of our loaner rigs. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your casting!

February 21

Youth Fly Casting with Jim Bass & Gary Davison: Jim and Gary will get young casters off to a great start on their casting with techniques aimed at youth ages 10-16.

Double Haul Casting with Dayle Mazzarella: As you encounter situations such as long distances and wind, you will need to add energy to your casts beyond what can be done with even the best one-handed casting stroke. Dayle will teach intermediate-level casters how to apply additional energy using the ‘double haul’ cast.

Casting Essentials (for Beginners) with Carroll Hall: Beginning casters need to build a foundation casting stroke and good timing. Carroll will teach the essential elements that every fly fisherman must learn in order to cast properly.

Pick Up/ Lay Down Cast (for Beginners) with Jim Bass: Beginning fly fishermen will quickly find it necessary to pick up their line and recast to a different spot. Jim will take beginners through the necessary steps to perform this basic casting skill.

Belgian Cast with Dayle Mazzarella: Dropper rigs can frequently increase the number of fish caught but add challenges in avoiding tangles and other limitations. Dayle will introduce advanced casters to the Belgian or “constant tension” cast to solve this and other problems.

Texas Hill Country Casting Skills (for Intermediates) with Carroll Hall: Since the first Troutfest, Carroll has been teaching attendees how to cast in the Texas Hill Country. Sign up for this class and use the stations which will be available both days for practice.

February 22

Youth Fly Casting with Jim Bass & Gary Davison: Jim and Gary will get young casters off to a good start on their casting with techniques aimed at youth ages 10-16.

Roll Casting (for Intermediates) with Dayle Mazzarella: Back casts can not be made with trees or other obstructions to the rear. Join Dayle and learn how to roll cast to deal with this situation as well as other applications.

Casting Essentials (for Intermediates) with Carroll Hall: Carroll will teach the essential elements that every fly fisherman must learn. For intermediates, it is important to recognize these elements in order to correct faults and improve casting ability. A method for diagnosing casting problems will also be presented.

Introduction to Spey Casting (for Intermediates) with Gary Davison: Spey casting is increasing in popularity with expanding options in rods and lines. Gary will introduce intermediate casters to the advantages of a longer fly rod and a two-handed cast.

Aerial Mending Casts (for Advanced) with Dayle Mazzarella: Without a ‘drag-free drift’ presentation, trout will frequently reject a fly. Dayle will teach advanced casters how to make aerial mends which can offer distinct advantages over on-the-water mends.

Casting Class Registration

Registration can be accomplished at Troutfest but you are encouraged to pre-register. Note the name of the class or classes including the day and time you wish to attend then send an email in order to secure your enrollment. You can register at Troutfest by signing up for the remaining openings at the check-in table.