The Confident Cast
W
e all want to cast better, but no matter how smooth our stroke is, how far we can throw a hopper dropper rig into the wind or how few false casts we require to lead a moving fish at distance, there are always things we can improve upon. One of the most telling signs of a great caster is how well they respond under pressure. Recently, while involved with a Casting Instructor Certification event, I noticed that once the pressure ramps up, the casting performance usually takes a nosedive. I passed the Casting Instructor test in 2001 and the Master Casting Instructor exam in 2004. At the time, I was teaching and presenting and practicing regularly with the goal of competing in casting competitions. Those experiences have given me insight into what it takes to lay down a consistent cast, no matter what the conditions, and to do so under pressure—whether it’s making a good presentation to the fish of a lifetime or delivering what you’re capable of when a member of the Casting Instructor committee is taking notes. Here are a few ideas to help you perform under pressure, a collection of tips and tricks that I categorize under improvements to our “mental game.”
Jeff Wagner Consistent equipment, consistent performance Too many times I’ve watched Casting Instructor candidates score an “own goal” on themselves because they swapped out elements of their equipment just prior to taking the CI test. This is classic over-thinking and should be eliminated from your preparation process. Find a rod, line, leader and yarn that you like and stick with it. My own setup for the CI and MCI exams was the same 5 weight rod with the same 5 weight line with the same leader and yarn attached. This primary outfit became an extension of my body and thus allowed me to feel confident. When it was test time, using my primary outfit made casting second nature.
Get your reps While this probably falls into the “tell me something I don’t know, Jeff,” category, there is truly no substitute for regular practice. Don’t start erratically and then try to cram in a month’s worth of practice a week before the test. Cast consistently. Dedicate at least three days a week to your routine, and make sure you’re taking at least one day off to rest. The week prior to the exam, to avoid the pre-test jitters and to keep yourself physically fresh, taper
off your regiment. If you don’t have the physical and mental game to diminish your reps in the last week, I’d suggest you’re not yet ready to demonstrate your casting proficiency to examiners.
Competitive confidence Nothing will make your quick-action rod feel like a wet noodle faster than trying to hit a number of targets while under a timer with people watching. Reflecting on my success in test situations, I know that casting, teaching and presenting has allowed me to feel comfortable casting in front of others. Most of us shy away from being put on display, but if you want to mimic the stress of performing under an examiner’s eye, I suggest entering into a little friendly casting competition. You don’t need to sign up for an American Casting Association tournament, perhaps you simply set up a little backyard target practice with friends. The point is to get in front of people with your cast. The CI track record shows that those with high pass rates are those who’ve had competition and presenting experience.
Learn through teaching While you may not yet be certified as a casting instructor, if you’re on the path to taking a test, you’re surely qualified to practice your teaching. I can
Jeff Wagner When he’s not fishing or casting you’ll find Jeff hiking or biking the back country with his family. They also volunteer their time to conservation efforts with groups such as Fly Fishers International. Oh, and during business hours Jeff does business stuff. 44
FlyFisher Winter 2022
