Casting Clinics are held during September:

On Sunday September 23rd 22 brave and hardy souls attended the club fly casting day, hosted by Chappie Chapman and Reg McClintoch at the Groynes.

The starting numbers for the day were supposed to be 34, unfortunately it looks like the bitterly cold weather and rain put a handful off. But for those who did attend I think everyone can put their hand up and say they’ve learnt something. For a few, we learnt a lot.

Reg hosted several of the club ‘newbies’ on lake number 2, while Chappie took the more experienced group with a view to improving their abilities, and pointing out any bad habits which may have crept into the casting.
Looking around me I’d say everyone gained so much from the day. Paul van Empel and myself had never really come to grips with the double haul, and were amazed at the difference we could achieve in our casting distance. The cold weather had a few departing early, however learning to double haul into a strong southerly really taught us the merits of this technique.

The roll cast, reach mend, belgian cast, double haul and much more were taught.

John Sanders put in a sterling effort on the bbq, many thanks to him and his helpers for getting some warmth into the crew during well earned breaks.

The day ended with an exhibition of Chappie casting with his spey rod, something he uses with great success on the likes of the Tongariro and Rangitata Rivers. Many of us went on to have a cast with it ourselves, surprising ourselves at the ease with which it could cast a fly some distance accross the lake.

I’m sure all who attended would attest to the immense wealth of fly fishing knowledge available on the day, a big thanks as usual to Reg and Chappie who support the club so strongly.