Growing up in Texas, I’ve spent plenty of time fishing on the ponds, lakes and tanks around the state.  As a youngster (for I am still truly a child), my “mighty Zebco” brought home many a Catfish or Perch with the help of my grandfather or Dad. As an adult, I’ve spent less time on the lake than I’d like and have never had the opportunity to fly fish.

Well, this September I’ll be going on a week long vacation with the family to the 320 Ranch in Big Sky, Montana.  And along with the kayaking, hiking and horse back riding I’ll finally get a chance to do a bit of fly fishing.

So, while in Houston this past Mother’s Day weekend, after many aggressive and urgent ”requests” by my Uncle Steve, my parents and I took some free casting lessons at the Bass Pro Shop in Katy, Texas.

Still half asleep and anxious for my coffee to kick in, we arrived at Bass Pro Shop around 8:30 a.m. along with 6 other beginners.  Our instructor, Michael Thornton, was a friendly, easy going gentleman, who put us at ease and quickly dispelled all lessons learned by watching “A River Runs Through It.” (Apparently, when Brad Pitt and Robert Redford were “shadow casting” all they were really doing was drying their fly and scaring off their Trout.  Sure looks great on film right?)

Over the course of the one hour lesson (which ran happily into two) we learned, among other things:

• The proper grip (and how not to bend your wrist)
• The one o’clock / eleven o’clock “hammer-like” casting motion
• How to choose the right fly rod for the right fish (we used an 8 ft. rod with a 5 weight line)
• How to hold the rod when reeling in the fish (low against the stomach and lean away from the pull of the fish, giving yourself 18 lbs. of pressure)

We even had the chance to hook a fish and reel it in!

I still have a lot to learn, including how to tie a fly on, but it was a great way to get my feet wet.

Over all, I’d have to give our instructor and the FREE lesson at Bass Pro full marks.  One on one instruction, reeling in a fish, a one to two hours class…you really can’t beat it for the price.

By the way, I’ve included a few hasty photos and video, taken with my little 4 Mega Pixel Cannon, of my Dad taking instruction from Mr. Thornton.  Taking video while trying to listen and learn made for an unexpected, added challenge. (Not to mention it was so windy I had to subtitle some of the audio!)  I apologize for the quality.  Enjoy!

Bass Pro Shop - Fly Casting for Beginners
Katy, Texas
Each Saturday at 9:00 AM, our fly fishing instructor gives lessons to the beginning fly fisherman. Learn how to cast with us. Call the fly fishing department at 281-644-2200 to register.

Our Instructor Michael Thornton also makes his own flies.  You can check out his website by CLICKING HERE.

Images and Files: View all 10 photos / videos here.