Loading the double-handed rod on the sweep
About Myself
I am 51 years old and have been a professional Ghillie, Guide and Fly-casting Instructor for most of my working life. I was a full time salmon and trout angling Ghillie and fly-casting Instructor since 1985, also a seasonal Salmon angling Ghillie from 1981 to 1984 inclusive. I don't Ghillie or Guide just as much as I used to though an still available at certain times of the season. I now mainly concentrate on fly-casting Instruction and fly-tying.
Fly-casting, and fly-casting Instruction with both single and double-handed rods is a major interest and always has been, specifically practical fishing casting using economy of effort and control.
I was very fortunate indeed to learn fly-casting and game angling at a very young age from my late Father who was a very experienced wild brown trout and Atlantic salmon angler.
Later I was first introduced to formal training in more professional fly-casting techniques and a structured style and methodology of fly-casting in Ireland by Brendan Begley and Russell Whiteman, both of whom were Instructors in the Peter Anderson Style. I had seen them casting and realised that I wanted to learn their style which was superior to everything else I had witnessed up until then. I then pursued further formal training in fly-casting techniques with both single and double-handed rods in Scotland on several occasions for the purpose of becoming an Instructor, the first time over twenty years ago with the legendary Peter Anderson himself.
Over the years I learned several other styles of Overhead and Spey casting from different Scottish, Irish, U.K. and American Instructors with both single and double-handed rods. I also pursued shooting head casting techniques in both overhead and Spey casting styles learning from Scottish and from Scandinavian Instructors. I have been fortunate also to meet some excellent casters and to have some esoteric instruction from many of them including people like Ruairi Costello in Ireland. I am particularly indebted to Peter Anderson, James Chalmers, Al Buhr, Alastair Gowans, Ruairi Costello and Andrew Toft for Instruction in their superior fly-casting techniques including some of the most effective teaching techniques and exercises.
For fuller understanding I personally believe it is absolutely essential to import practical fly-casting knowledge from others. Most especially from the original source of a style or technique, or someone known to be completely fluent and accomplished in the style or technique. Much of the understanding and nuances are only able to be related properly through practical means.
I am a U.K. GAIA APGAI qualified Instructor in both Trout & Sea Trout, and Salmon Angling disciplines.
Also an FFF certified Master Instructor (single-handed rod) and T.H.C.I. Instructor (double-handed rod) successfully taking all three American exams at the one testing event on the Beaverkill River, at Roscoe, New York State in November 2004.
I am a REFFIS (Register of Experienced Fly Fishing Instructors and Schools) registered School, Instructor and Guide.
Recommendations
A quotation printed in Irish Hunting, Shooting and Fishing obtained by Irish Journalist David Dinsmore obtained from the FFF examiners.
Floyd Franke, past Chairman, Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Board of Governors speaking as spokesperson for the five certifiers involved said,
.......Robert Gillespie, with his calm quiet, retiring demeanour proved to be the biggest surprise of all. He breezed through the tests with the confidence of the professional he truly is. He deserves the distinction of being the first to pass all three certifications offered by the Federation in a single testing event. I was pleased to have been part of this "historic" event............
Ole Bjerke of Partridge of Redditch and Royal Dee Ghillie Ken Reid,
http://www.partridge-of-redditch.co.uk/stories/royal_dee.htm
William Van Der Vorst, Dutch FFF Master and FFF examiner in Europe, a quote from an article of his called "qualifying the pause" in the FFF Loop magazine - spring 2009.
My friend, Robert Gillespie, FFF Master and THCI from Ireland, who has the most effective casting style I have ever seen, and demonstrator of the Fulcrum Fly Casting style at the show, was so happy and delighted to hear my explanations about this that he asked me about it in great detail.
I am 51 years old and have been a professional Ghillie, Guide and Fly-casting Instructor for most of my working life. I was a full time salmon and trout angling Ghillie and fly-casting Instructor since 1985, also a seasonal Salmon angling Ghillie from 1981 to 1984 inclusive. I don't Ghillie or Guide just as much as I used to though an still available at certain times of the season. I now mainly concentrate on fly-casting Instruction and fly-tying.
Fly-casting, and fly-casting Instruction with both single and double-handed rods is a major interest and always has been, specifically practical fishing casting using economy of effort and control.
I was very fortunate indeed to learn fly-casting and game angling at a very young age from my late Father who was a very experienced wild brown trout and Atlantic salmon angler.
Later I was first introduced to formal training in more professional fly-casting techniques and a structured style and methodology of fly-casting in Ireland by Brendan Begley and Russell Whiteman, both of whom were Instructors in the Peter Anderson Style. I had seen them casting and realised that I wanted to learn their style which was superior to everything else I had witnessed up until then. I then pursued further formal training in fly-casting techniques with both single and double-handed rods in Scotland on several occasions for the purpose of becoming an Instructor, the first time over twenty years ago with the legendary Peter Anderson himself.
Over the years I learned several other styles of Overhead and Spey casting from different Scottish, Irish, U.K. and American Instructors with both single and double-handed rods. I also pursued shooting head casting techniques in both overhead and Spey casting styles learning from Scottish and from Scandinavian Instructors. I have been fortunate also to meet some excellent casters and to have some esoteric instruction from many of them including people like Ruairi Costello in Ireland. I am particularly indebted to Peter Anderson, James Chalmers, Al Buhr, Alastair Gowans, Ruairi Costello and Andrew Toft for Instruction in their superior fly-casting techniques including some of the most effective teaching techniques and exercises.
For fuller understanding I personally believe it is absolutely essential to import practical fly-casting knowledge from others. Most especially from the original source of a style or technique, or someone known to be completely fluent and accomplished in the style or technique. Much of the understanding and nuances are only able to be related properly through practical means.
I am a U.K. GAIA APGAI qualified Instructor in both Trout & Sea Trout, and Salmon Angling disciplines.
Also an FFF certified Master Instructor (single-handed rod) and T.H.C.I. Instructor (double-handed rod) successfully taking all three American exams at the one testing event on the Beaverkill River, at Roscoe, New York State in November 2004.
I am a REFFIS (Register of Experienced Fly Fishing Instructors and Schools) registered School, Instructor and Guide.
Recommendations
A quotation printed in Irish Hunting, Shooting and Fishing obtained by Irish Journalist David Dinsmore obtained from the FFF examiners.
Floyd Franke, past Chairman, Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Board of Governors speaking as spokesperson for the five certifiers involved said,
.......Robert Gillespie, with his calm quiet, retiring demeanour proved to be the biggest surprise of all. He breezed through the tests with the confidence of the professional he truly is. He deserves the distinction of being the first to pass all three certifications offered by the Federation in a single testing event. I was pleased to have been part of this "historic" event............
Ole Bjerke of Partridge of Redditch and Royal Dee Ghillie Ken Reid,
http://www.partridge-of-redditch.co.uk/stories/royal_dee.htm
William Van Der Vorst, Dutch FFF Master and FFF examiner in Europe, a quote from an article of his called "qualifying the pause" in the FFF Loop magazine - spring 2009.
My friend, Robert Gillespie, FFF Master and THCI from Ireland, who has the most effective casting style I have ever seen, and demonstrator of the Fulcrum Fly Casting style at the show, was so happy and delighted to hear my explanations about this that he asked me about it in great detail.
Instruction Fees
My rates for Fly-casting and Game Angling Instruction 2011 with single or double-handed rods are
1 hour €50
2 Hours €80
Half Day (4 Hours) €140
Full day (8 hours) €200
Notes and Diagrams are supplied - no extra charge for two people sharing the lesson.
Lesson subject(s) is up to you and may be mixed with both single and double handed techniques.
As it is a weather dependent activity, all bookings are flexible and changed due to adverse weather conditions (strong winds, stormy weather) with no financial penalty.
Spey casting technique should preferably be learned standing in running water if possible, or still water.
My rates for Fly-casting and Game Angling Instruction 2011 with single or double-handed rods are
1 hour €50
2 Hours €80
Half Day (4 Hours) €140
Full day (8 hours) €200
Notes and Diagrams are supplied - no extra charge for two people sharing the lesson.
Lesson subject(s) is up to you and may be mixed with both single and double handed techniques.
As it is a weather dependent activity, all bookings are flexible and changed due to adverse weather conditions (strong winds, stormy weather) with no financial penalty.
Spey casting technique should preferably be learned standing in running water if possible, or still water.
Why Take Lessons?
My serious answer would be that you absolutely won't and can't learn properly otherwise. The subject is just too subtle. I can explain all day what a 'Toft Block' is and a 'Chalmer's Chop' or other specific techniques about use of the body and the rod but unless we are standing beside each other and there is a physical demonstration accompanying the explanation then the exact concept and technique may get lost in translation. One can't beat a physical demonstration for learning. That's how I learn personally, I am able to imitate on seeing. Of course the explanation is important too but seeing is the most important thing to me.
In my own opinion, importing knowledge from others is the single most important thing in fly-casting. Otherwise years may pass without a key piece of knowledge that you import from someone allowing extra control or understanding. Of course not every Instructor will be able to provide experienced direction. So much depends on what they have learned themselves, how the exams they passed were judged, also their personality. The human factor is a big factor, how free from self delusion the person is matters. I have met some extremely self promoting people who are absolutely not aware of some things because they cannot import information from others after a certain point and they stop learning, they are too self important to be seen to be learning from someone else.
For me when I observe excessive self promotion done in a manner lacking in humility or respect for others it is actually a very, very good sign of someone to avoid. I would recommend going to different Instructors and learning different styles, just to see what is out there or what areas some people specialise in. Knowledge is key, no point in re inventing the wheel or indeed in struggling for years without some helpful gem of information that others of experience are carrying.
A Fly-casting lesson is actually an investment in yourself. You personally will benefit for the rest of your life from improved technique and understanding. Do you find your line catching the bank side vegetation or hitting the ground behind you? you can cut out the unnecessary nuisance value involved with that completely and permanently using Fulcrum Fly-casting style. Do you sometimes have difficulty with fly turnover into the wind? learn how to maintain fly turnover and unroll a line into the wind. The Double Haul, an essential for control and economy of effort, learn a system that will allow you to teach yourself perfectly in your own time - no safety net required.
Are you unsure of left side (or off side) Spey casting with the double-handed rod or do you try to avoid it? There is no need to ever avoid casting on the off side, it is really quite easy when you understand the incline exercise. The anchor not landing straight when Spey casting? not surprising as it is a very common problem - cure it permanently with the incline exercise. Going to Russia, Norway, Scotland? - go prepared. Shooting head and Underhand casting? - learn the essentials of the various Scandinavian and Scottish shooting head techniques.
When you take a lesson with me I will show you what it took me many years to learn from many different Instructors and some of the excellent techniques and exercises they use to teach. I can show you Spey casting as used by the Ghillies on the Spey and as I was taught in the Spey and Tay Valleys by some of the very best Spey casters in the world. I supply notes and diagrams and a DVD of the Fulcrum Fly-casting style.
To learn traditional and modern Scottish style Spey casting properly it is necessary to learn Spey casting standing in the water. Learning on a platform high above the water is not realistic or beneficial. It is also necessary to learn how to cast a proper Spey line off both the left and right hand sides of the body using left hand up grip on the left hand side. The only way that you can be taught how to deal effectively with the larger Classic salmon rivers is to be taught on a larger river standing in the water.
My serious answer would be that you absolutely won't and can't learn properly otherwise. The subject is just too subtle. I can explain all day what a 'Toft Block' is and a 'Chalmer's Chop' or other specific techniques about use of the body and the rod but unless we are standing beside each other and there is a physical demonstration accompanying the explanation then the exact concept and technique may get lost in translation. One can't beat a physical demonstration for learning. That's how I learn personally, I am able to imitate on seeing. Of course the explanation is important too but seeing is the most important thing to me.
In my own opinion, importing knowledge from others is the single most important thing in fly-casting. Otherwise years may pass without a key piece of knowledge that you import from someone allowing extra control or understanding. Of course not every Instructor will be able to provide experienced direction. So much depends on what they have learned themselves, how the exams they passed were judged, also their personality. The human factor is a big factor, how free from self delusion the person is matters. I have met some extremely self promoting people who are absolutely not aware of some things because they cannot import information from others after a certain point and they stop learning, they are too self important to be seen to be learning from someone else.
For me when I observe excessive self promotion done in a manner lacking in humility or respect for others it is actually a very, very good sign of someone to avoid. I would recommend going to different Instructors and learning different styles, just to see what is out there or what areas some people specialise in. Knowledge is key, no point in re inventing the wheel or indeed in struggling for years without some helpful gem of information that others of experience are carrying.
A Fly-casting lesson is actually an investment in yourself. You personally will benefit for the rest of your life from improved technique and understanding. Do you find your line catching the bank side vegetation or hitting the ground behind you? you can cut out the unnecessary nuisance value involved with that completely and permanently using Fulcrum Fly-casting style. Do you sometimes have difficulty with fly turnover into the wind? learn how to maintain fly turnover and unroll a line into the wind. The Double Haul, an essential for control and economy of effort, learn a system that will allow you to teach yourself perfectly in your own time - no safety net required.
Are you unsure of left side (or off side) Spey casting with the double-handed rod or do you try to avoid it? There is no need to ever avoid casting on the off side, it is really quite easy when you understand the incline exercise. The anchor not landing straight when Spey casting? not surprising as it is a very common problem - cure it permanently with the incline exercise. Going to Russia, Norway, Scotland? - go prepared. Shooting head and Underhand casting? - learn the essentials of the various Scandinavian and Scottish shooting head techniques.
When you take a lesson with me I will show you what it took me many years to learn from many different Instructors and some of the excellent techniques and exercises they use to teach. I can show you Spey casting as used by the Ghillies on the Spey and as I was taught in the Spey and Tay Valleys by some of the very best Spey casters in the world. I supply notes and diagrams and a DVD of the Fulcrum Fly-casting style.
To learn traditional and modern Scottish style Spey casting properly it is necessary to learn Spey casting standing in the water. Learning on a platform high above the water is not realistic or beneficial. It is also necessary to learn how to cast a proper Spey line off both the left and right hand sides of the body using left hand up grip on the left hand side. The only way that you can be taught how to deal effectively with the larger Classic salmon rivers is to be taught on a larger river standing in the water.
