Probably the Best Casting Video Ever Made | Simon Gawesworth

We've produced some wonderful casting videos but we have to say that Simon Gawesworth and the folks at Far Bank did an outstanding job with this comprehensive video about the essentials of fly casting. We cannot recommend this video enough to anyone learning to fly fish!
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#redington #trout #flyfishing #farbank

[@alecstrickland7182]

I really appreciate that you told fresh beginners to just not worry about the nitty gritty details

[@katbars4788]

A natural born teacher; I find all his videos to be exceptional. Thank you, Simon.

[@gavinmcewen5896]

Yeah. bloody good!

[@attilathehamster6774]

The title WAS NOT click-bait. Clear, structured, video presented by a natural communicator.

[@carrotycoffee5732]

pun intended?

[@johnnymccann5607]

🎉I've been fly fishing and tying probably 30 plus years. self taught from the instructions on the back of the cardboard container holding the prize fly rod from kmart. i don't consider myself a good caster but the fish and memories of so many fish. i also had my share of tree and tall grass fishing. Lol.we all have . the fun and excitement unlimited. I'm disabled now and don't fish much . i really need someone to go with in case something happens. i can walk but not far without resting a bit. but it's ok, the experience and blessings I've had is worth more than gold. papa from the foothills of the blue ridge mountains in NC wishing you well 😊

[@coryroche7209]

This guy is great for teaching. Need a whole channel just him

[@eedjaq02]

After fly fishing for 50 years. I still found some very interesting lessons. Great teacher. Thanks

[@TheStreamUrchin1]

I am at 70 years, rookie. Great video with lots of tips for people who have been at it for a year or so.

[@bj0ernaa]

Best casting instruction video I've ever seen. Excellent!

[@camerong1762]

What a fantastic lesson, so easy to follow, thank you. I am 62 and just had my first lesson in fly fishing as I recently moved to Buckie on the coast and have some wonderful rivers (including The Spey), lochs and the Moray firth to fish on, so your video is helping me so much.

[@brunomarquezan]

THE BEST. Simon always turns it so easy to comprehend... thanks so much

[@lincolnprojectnemesis3253]

I was fortunate enough to have seen Simon do a casting demonstration with convention and spey fly rods. Listening to him, I found his simplistic approach to instruction refreshing. The guy is an unbelievable mover of fly line. You got to see it!

[@r964rh8]

Wish this guy taught me on my recent beginners course, Learnt more from this video than I did on the whole day

[@ianwoods1384]

Thank you, Simon for a great instructional film and the great way you conveyed it to us. I've fly fished for thirty years on reservoirs. I haven't done lots. I'm not a natural and at times, struggle. I love the thrill of the chase, being outside, near water and trying to master the art of casting. Like you say, if you try and belt line out, you'll probably regret it, as gentleness is the key. I read an article in Countrymans Weekly by Simon Everett regarding line care around ten years ago. Since then, I've washed my lines in the bath with soap flakes. Not washing up liquid because of the fierce detergents contained. Soap flakes are a gentle wash. I then use the line slick, line care that comes with the line. That has helped and given me confidence. I also made a big circular drum, to wrap the line around during winter, to help lose line memory that you can get off tightly wrapped line on small spools. I have nothing like your ability. I've developed some regrettable habits over the years, which leads to knots, line falling deadweight in front of you, etc. As I cast, I try to have these things in mind. A good grip of the rod handle. My rod flicking in-between eleven and two o'clock. Try and not drop my back cast by taking my rod too far back, especially at the Dam wall. Tension in my wrist to create flex in the rod, timing, line release, (other hand), and trying to present the line gently on the water with correct turn over. It's not often I do that well. Generally, there's something I don't do that frustates me. I've never been able to watch my back cast as I always feel like I'm going to fall over and completely lose my rythmn. So I have to guess my backcast timing. Thank you for an inspiring fantastic video, which has given me lots to think about as this season is just beginning. Very best wishes.

[@MarcTelesha]

Cast increases Fly Fishing Enjoyment so much and so few people put in the time.

[@CommodoreMark]

The step-by-step explanation of shooting line is especially good in an outstanding tutorial. Simon is the best!

[@chuckrhindos2166]

One of the best basic casting videos available

[@davidjack6195]

I have seen a few videos on casting and I have also had lessons, and to be honest this, in my opinion, is the best video and the best guidance I have heard, or seen. Thank you Simon, and thank you New Fly Fisher. I will share this with everyone I know who fly fishes, because at the end of the day, we are always learning, there is always room for improvement, and the way this video is approached and explained is fantastic. I cannot recommend it enough!

[@Walkslowlylooking]

We met at my first Sandy Spey Clave, eons ago, but I will always be grateful for it. You have convinced me to resurrect my fly fishing infancy/career, just for the challenge of maybe, one day, might happen, putting together a decent fly cast. Thank you again, Simon.

[@morgandodge5231]

Great instruction pointed for those starting out and great instruction and reminders for lifelong students- thank you!

[@newflyfisher]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paharding]

Awesome video of an extremely important part of fly fishing. This is the finest video on the topic. Simon is a great instructor and great communicator. Kudos to Rio. Thank you!

[@davidbranquinho4796]

What a wealth of information. Greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@williamparadis3058]

Excellent tutorial - as always. I think one especially important note is in the very beginning, when Simon explains that the grip and stance aren't initially critical - what is important is to find what is comfortable. That comfort leads to confidence, confidence leads to practice, and practice quickly leads to mastery. At THAT point, you begin to refine your technique and grow your skill set. Too many people teach that "there's only one right way," when that's really not true, and especially not an effective way to teach. Really an extraordinarily well-presented lesson - looking forward to more.

[@denisryan8965]

The best tutorial videos - not just this - all of them.

[@masterchief586]

Well I am thinking of learning fly fishing now that I am retired. Like your video, makes sense to me.

[@THUNDERCLAPPZ]

Great video my good sir! U are absolutely the best explaining teacher i have ever seen! Awesome.

[@coinholeo2253]

Simply brilliant!You,sir are a natural born teacher.Always enjoy your videos,but this is just phenomenal.Thank You,Thank You.

[@jameswilson6717]

This is outstanding pure and simply the best instructive learning tuition fly casting video out there hands down !!!

[@raymondmichaellarkin6455]

Brilliant Simon-thank you

[@garynokes729]

I’ve been a fly fisherman for years and found this video informative as well as an excellent review. Thanks for posting.

[@terryasselstine6879]

Such a clear and uncluttered presentation, thanks.

[@swamphog77]

What a wonderful teaching video for a beginner like me and thank you, Simon!! I'm a bait casting kayak angler for many years and purchased my first fly rod from Orvis and am looking forward to starting to learn the art. Your videos are very helpful and I am grateful for the lesson value...

[@HrRossi-1]

simply great! Thank you, simply thank you!

[@FedericoPratoFlyShop]

One of the best master at the moment and a great gentleman

[@russelmachalek4827]

Thanks for the video, picked up my first fly rod today, can't wait to start practicing.

[@elcorkscrew]

I have been fly fishing for some years now I have just watched this video and it was so informative, i learned so much . Thanks very much for a great video. A great teacher. Mike.

[@gagefraedrich]

No doubt the best! Thank you for such a high quality video!

[@garrettstrahan2218]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@rwsams]

Well done! Thanks for a most useful tutorial.

[@romanomorelli2831]

This is king ,watching this a few times may actually cut down fly casting lessons not all but some great video thank you.

[@scottclement6384]

I wish I had this kind of tutorial when I first picked up a fly rod. I look forward to reviewing this and applying these principles to improve my casting. Thank you.

[@i4bc]

I can’t argue with the title…I’ve watched a lot of fly fishing tutorials and I’ve been fly fishing for 30 years…A very well put together film that covers everything and very well presented by Simon 👏🫡

[@fishduckdog]

Very nice production! I follow your work on KZbin and this is one of the best illustration and demonstration that I’ve seen of all the fly fishing 🎣 folks I follow! Thanks so much for sharing this video. I’m sharing this video with my son and grandson.

[@timmyers3428]

Excellent presentation, and lots of great information, for me it brought together a lot of teaching I have had in the last few weeks, can't wait to go out and give some of this a try.

[@bootdownthedoor324]

I just started after taking a beginners class with my local wildlife management organization. This video is a massive help to build on what I learned. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@newflyfisher]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MangrovesToMountainsOutdoors]

Fantastic video. So well explained.

[@philipdennis-rh7uj]

Great instructions. Thank you

[@williamparker6649]

Amazing video! So helpful🙏

[@PETERTRITSCH]

The best fly-casting video out there!

[@ironforge039]

Awesome video. Thank you so much.

[@johnshand6176]

Great video/teacher and much appreciated down under in NZ.

[@garygarnham1554]

This must be the best video I've watched 👏👏👏👏

[@nologarrido1984]

Excelente clase! Muy bien explicada! Gracias!

[@mikebechtol]

Excellent presentation.

[@mikelundrigan2285]

Excellent explanations !! Wish this was available 50+ years ago! Would have saved me a lot of frustration as I figured it out myself!

[@Lindholmer5k]

Barbless is an absolute winner in my book. You will hook yourself at some point, no matter the skill level! Besides, the survival rate for catch and release is better, when combined with best practices of fish handeling, or rather, the lack of handeling. Tight lines! :)

[@GaryMillerCreative]

This is so helpful

[@pashasvirin]

Thank you very much!

[@Ray-rd2sn]

Really enjoyed your video, snow is melting here be out there soon with your lesson in mind. Great video!

[@oliverwhite30]

Many thanks for this instructional video. Well done.

[@newflyfisher]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@800Viffer]

Excellent video

[@claudiu1967]

great teacher!!!!!

[@huntsail3727]

Great video, subscribed. Will give these tips a try on the water tomorrow. Looking forward to more.

[@northeastscout2015]

You are right on target so far all of the results of the cast that you have mentioned had happened to me , back snag on grass and trees,the air knot wow what a train wreck, the crack bye-bye fly, like just throwing cash away, love it. Getting better and more confident.

[@AllenLeonVanHouten]

OMG Mr Simon thank you..

[@neilfinlayson5051]

Brilliantly clear instructions. The best fly casting video I have seen. Why though, is that bloke in the background jerking away with the fly rod? It's very distracting and very irritating.

[@rambler756]

Fantastic tutorial!

[@newflyfisher]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Spoons89631]

great video with great information even for veteran fly fisherman. I do find it funny that this is a video from Farbanks and you tagged Orvis and not any of the Farbank companies.

[@berndziesche9770]

Nice teaching, well done movie! 👌 A few alternative thoughts: I recommend the open stance for starting to learn fly casting. That makes it much easier to watch the back cast, which is very helpful for learning to perform proper back casts. I would not hold the line in the line hand and move it parallel to the rod hand. Instead I recommend to hold the line in the rod hand (between the cork and one or two fingers). When learning the double hauling, the line should be hold in the line hand of course. Holding the line in the line hand, while not hauling is tricky and often leads to either the line slipping out the rings during rotation (when it shouldn't slip). Or it leads to uncomfortable positions around the line hand shoulder. One disagreement: A wide loop is not terrible. In fact we sometimes need it in fishing. Mostly I need medium sized loops. I recommend learning to shape wide, medium and tight loops. My rod tip btw. never travels in a straight path. I believe this to be impossible (the tip path for the tightest possible loops may be partially close to straight though). Regards Bernd

[@MrRanggong]

Simon does a great job explaining everything. Only thing I would add: how to know when to start your back cast or forward cast? The moment when you feel the traveling line and loop start to pull on the rod. Beginers tend to whip the rod back and forth, not waiting for the line to unroll and pull on the rod. Once I learned this my distance casting improved.

[@ValcoBayrunner]

Beginners should learn to look behind them and watch their fly line straighten before casting forward again. I learned not to cast too hard when in windy conditions, let the fly rod do the work. Also dont raise your fly rod above your shoulder to cast, keep that elbow close to the body. This is a very good video. Thank you Simon.

[@ValcoBayrunner]

It would be awesome too see you do a series showing what casting looks like with heavy weighted flys and split shot on the line. Put your hard hat on and duck 😂😂😂. Casting against a strong wind is another. Great video Simon.

[@kroontuinverzorging1311]

Excellent video, I also kept expecting Clarice to come to the show..."Care for some casting, Clarice" ? .... But serious...really well explained.

[@efam7349]

Very nice explanation for problem and solution ..thx

[@darrinneat2920]

I'm officially calling that Loop that perfect Loop the candy cane 🙂

[@lsmalls8252]

Can we just talk briefly about how that guy drained the tennis ball in the bucket from 50-60 feet away? Amazing

[@SD-uh4zn]

I agree with all the comments, great instructor , easy to listen and follow, but, at the very beginning he says start facing downstream with your line straght out in front of you. HOW did that line get out in front? Did he cast it out, let it out as he walks backwards, or tell a buddy to take the line and walk down stream? How much line should be in front?

[@DaveHyde]

Simon is da OG, da God, da GOAT. The legend. The one and only.

[@charlesloeffler333]

“Best to practice your pickup-lay down on a river when the water is flowing down stream”? Great video

[@keithmaccallum5737]

Hello Simon, I would just like to say what an awesome video. I just recently picked up a new flyrod and reel and all the accessories. I started of a bit rocky and it only got worse. First off I bought a 5/6 reel and rod to match, next I got a wf-8f/f for my reel and it seems I have no room whatsoever for backing. I was told that my reel would take about 50-100 yds of backing. I reeled all my backing on and when I went to put my fly line on, I didn’t have enough room and my line was running against my reel. I reeled and cut my backing three times to get it to work for my reel so my fly line would work and in the end I had about 15 yds of backing and the line is still running on my reel casing. I was wondering if you could tell me what I’m doing or did wrong and if you suggest anything different for my setup? Thank you for your awesome video and cannot wait to watch more.

[@stefanuskruger4018]

Thank you,sir.❤🎉

[@jasperbillie3294]

Protection for sure! Yea a good brim hat help but every now and then when a good gust hits a young fella like me by surprise on the back cast to the landing cast, my brim protected me but had that fly been caught just a second sooner, I may have hooked my eye. Yes I still don’t wear glasses but that’s because I’m picky with my glasses haha. Picky with my safety 😂

[@charlesloeffler333]

At around 10 minutes, just as he enters the “casting lab”, he’s talking about translation and rotation during the cast while the guy in the background is casting with 100% (maybe 97%) rotation of his wrist and nearly no translation. Quoting “Hugh”, “There are no rules in fly fishing”

[@WillzKharwan-cn3uz]

How long can we cast?????

[@flybookies4403]

It's always interesting to see how people used to fly fish not so long ago. With modern materials for rods and lines, many things have changed dramatically. Göran Andersson has perfected the line in front of you. Light, simple and fast. Not anymore.

[@caspien30]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@brookswrld]

Arent all fishing hooks barbed? Been spincasting since I was a kid and never had a problem w barbed hooks. Is this only a flyfishing thing?

[@harleymandk]

i'm missing the 2 hand intro.. can you please do a 2 hand intro ?

[@rickmcc5516]

NIcely explained

[@patrickhin4301]

I was taught to just move the elbow with no flick or rotation of the wrist except at the end of the forward cast.

[@susanrawson6318]

Me too

[@williams8198]

Same. Breaking wrist as much as the guy is doing is opposite of pro instructors, but obviously works for this fella. Wish it had been addressed.

[@rudyruiz9521]

That works, but if you have a lot of line out 60' plus you need to buy time somehow. Using the wrist in the back cast buys time to let the line out and load the rod.

[@frankgonzales8340]

Micro second wrist

[@chasecook3854]

That's typically taught to help tighten a caster's loop. Too much wrist can put a lot of arc in your casting stroke. Eventually though, especially if you want to ease elbow strain, using your wrist at the very end of your casting stroke is a great way to extend your cast, generate line speed, and otherwise make your cast more effortless. Combine wrist rotation with a proportional and subtle elbow elevation movement and you can still maintain the straight path of the rod tip and a tight loop.

[@hydrafy8460]

16:00

[@hydrafy8460]

18:00

[@tinoyb9294]

The retail snap! Teach the roll cast first.

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

This is a great video. There is only one thing missing: what are we trying to achieve? For someone who know absolutely nothing about fly fishing, or fishing, what are we trying to do ultimately? I have this vision of fly fishing being the fish jumps out of the water to catch the flying fly in the air? Is that it? Or do you want to have your line in the water? I literally have no idea. I think you should present the end result in order for people to understand not only what they should do but why, in the context of actually fishing.

[@rayditzenberger9517]

I'm sorry but I don't like the term timming. I believe it is really a feel. Every length of line requires a different TIMMING. One must feel when to start the foward or back cast

[@gregkosinski2303]

Ahaha

[@tommyrq180]

First of all, check your spelling. The word is “timing.” And it is the right word, or at the very least, is the best word for instruction. This is a beginning flycasting video. Beginners don’t have much feel. Later, feel will be more important. But TIMING is variable, it is the nature of the word, and a longer line requires longer timing. Note that Simon watches his forward and back cast so that he can get the correct TIMING simply by watching the line. Again, feel comes later and for instructional purposes, what exactly is the right feel? Feel is very subjective. Timing tells the student that there is a rhythm to casting. Rhythm is about timing. Feel can be developed later but even the pros watch their back cast occasionally to get the right timing. Just my two cents. 😊

[@colinjolly1008]

I was taught the same, however world class fly fisherman like Hywel Morgan cock the wrist

[@citylimitband]

Spoiler alert. The loop lab is a high-school gymnasium. Good video nonetheless

[@jofox1186]

Does anyone know - is it possible to learn fly fishing from a wheelchair?

[@newflyfisher]

Yes you can, I know of several anglers in wheelchairs who fly fish. Two things to consider: access to fish, whether from shore or boat, second consideration is length of fly rod. People who fly fish from float tubes are essentially sitting in the water. To help their casting from hitting the water behind, they use longer rods. Same logic is often used for people in wheelchairs. Many veterans who fly fish do it from wheelchairs. Do some research online and perhaps check with a local fly fishing club if one exists in your area. Hope this helps

[@jofox1186]

@@newflyfisher Thank you - that's very much appreciated! I will look into this some more.

[@rickmeyers3162]

Holly ads man!

[@danthefave]

Safety aside, you should debarb hooks anyways so that you can release the fish with minimal damage if its not a keeper

[@anablakp3200]

What I don't see mentioned here and 98% of "How to cast" is to wet your fly line before the first cast. This gives the line added weight to enable you cast out your fly.

[@tommyrq180]

I disagree. Fly lines do not hold water. As soon as you lift it from the water it has almost zero water. The fly might have a bit depending on its composition, but not the line. And if this were true, then practice casting on land would not be representative of casting on the water, and yet it is exactly like casting on the water EXCEPT for the resistance the water exerts due to surface tension. Grass also has some surface tension, but not the same as water. Surface tension is only an issue when lifting the line for the first time, and after that it’s, well, it has zero influence. So, you can learn to cast, and in my view, MUST learn and practice on land, just like Simon does in the casting lab and the indoor practice rod Simon uses @30:00. Properly balanced, your line has all the weight it needs to cast a fly; it needs no water weight and doesn’t retain any. Even surface tension is merely something to be overcome when, again as Simon instructs, you should cleanly and quietly lift the line from the water when starting the cast. Hope this helps. 😊

[@Ridire]

Did you guys just steal this video from the original uploader? This is "Making The First Cast" - Far Bank Fly Fishing School, Episode 4 from the Far Bank youtube channel.

[@newflyfisher]

Not at all. Farbank is a partner of ours and asked we post the video to our audience.

[@Troutflies71]

Hardest think to teach in my opinion is learning to let the rod do the work. The funny think is you spend so much time learning how to false cast, the thing is that there are no fish in the air.

[@guy1234484]

Much of being a great teacher is about being a great communicator. If you tell someone “let the rod do the work” they will have absolutely no idea what you’re on about. The rod is a lever that gives your own input mechanical advantage, and its flex gives control on the stop and a further input of energy on the positive movement. If you just hold the rod and put no input, or minimal input, the rod isn’t going to do much for you. So, which bit is “letting the rod do the work”?

[@duncancameron9734]

I was always taught not to bend my wrist when casting.