New to me. A friend just asked me if I would be interested in building him a practice fly rod. I didn't know that was a thing until today. Has anyone here built one? Any build recommendations would be appreciated. I see they aren't very expensive and looks like my local bass pro has one so I plan on stopping in to check it out. ( great excuse to go shopping as well) thanks as always



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2021 09:14PM by Mark D Schulte.

And to think I used a dowel with a length of yarn on it.

Spencer, that's what I was thinking. Everyone cashing in on lack of ingenuity.

It wasn't my idea either, Mel Krieger showed us at a beginner fly casting class I went to at the Golden Gate Casting Club in San Francisco. We also saw him cast a full flyline with a broom handle he taped a guide onto.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2021 02:11AM by Spencer Phipps.

Double post.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2021 02:12AM by Spencer Phipps.

Anyone have any experience with the practice set that Orvis sells?

The gold standard for as long as I can remember is the Fly-O by the Royal Wulff company. I believe that it was developed more by Joan than Lee.

Hunters practice (target-shoot) with their hunting rifles, operating under the assumption that since that is the rifle they hunt with that's the rifle they should practice shooting with. Makes me wonder why some anglers practice casting with sticks and yarn - or special practice rods with special practice line?

It’s because of space and expense. You need a fairly good size, low traffic lot to practice back and forward casts with regular gear. A pricey fly line is ruined almost immediately by casting over pavement or grass. “Learning” is probably a better term than “practice” for these.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2021 11:32PM by Kendall Cikanek.

Grass?

I usually think of this as more of a “cat toy” with a feather tied to a string tied to the end of a wand, but I’ve thought about taking a 3’6” light ice fishing blank and mounting a very small real seat with aluminum slip rings and a 5” grip and about 5 guides plus top and a tiny fly reel loaded with the level rear section of old scrap fly line attached to a thread- based furled leader. I’d use this for my granddaughters to develop hand-eye coordination skills.

Not all fly fishers need to double haul, but those fly fishers who fish rivers, bays, lakes, and oceans will greatly benefit from learning to double-haul. Those who need not cast more than 25 feet might learn all they need to know about fly casting by practicing with a dowel rod and a line of knitting yarn - but a competent fly caster learns how to cast the LINE (not the fly) - AND learns to double-haul.

Phil, your are obviously a double haul proponent as you have expressed for years, but it has ne relevance for this thread! A practice casting rod is often used and very helpful for introducing beginners to the shape and disciple of the fly casting. Being able to very clearly see the loop shape is one of the most important benefits! As as mentioned above it can be easily demonstrated indoors............................try that with a "double haul!"