The mission of the Fly Casting Skills Development program (FCSD) is to give all fly anglers a guide to learning and improving casting skills that address increasingly advanced fishing situations. It starts at the Foundation level, for true beginners to the sport who might be picking up a fly rod for the first time. It progresses through 4 levels of Foundation, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These provide a broad, relevant range of fishing casts covering skill categories of loop control, accuracy, roll cast, presentation, change in direction and distance. Better casting skills open more fishing opportunities with less frustration. All fly anglers can benefit and should be proud of their accomplishment. There is even an opportunity for recognition of casting accomplishments with an award document and a pin at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
Special mention should be made that this is a separate program from the Casting Instructor Certification Program. The FCSD program is not an examination and is meant to be done at the participant’s own pace. Achievement of any of the 4 levels does not certify any teaching ability on the part of the participants. Simply stated, FCSD is something that a Certified Instructor might teach students to help improve fishing success, not what one learns to become a Certified Instructor.
How to use the Fly Casting Skills Development program
Start at the beginning and proceed in order.
For some this means Bronze. It is tempting to skip ahead to Silver and Gold, but keep in mind that each level has unique skills and casts that build upon each other, so one could miss out by skipping over a level. Also, instructor experience reveals that many who struggle have fundamental flaws and inefficiencies in their casting. Spending a little time on Foundation Level and developing proper casting form will make everything easier, and most importantly, make the fly go where the angler wants!
Special note on Foundation level:
This level is a great starting place for those picking up a fly rod for the first time, or beginners with some fishing experience. You will learn the foundation of fly casting: loop formation and control. FFI strongly recommends beginners start here. A good resource for understanding the mechanics of loop formation can be found on the Learn To Cast Videos page.
Get help.
The Learn To Cast Videos page is a great resource for learning many of the skills. Help from a knowledgeable caster, or better yet, a FFI Certified Instructor can really help. These individuals are trained to teach casting, can analyze and correct errors, and are excellent casters themselves. Whether one consults in person or by video, the “learning curve” will be markedly accelerated.
Pay attention to your tackle so you are set up for success.
The recommendations in the Performance and Tackle Guidelines and course diagrams are offered to help individuals achieve success without being too prescriptive or restrictive, and to standardize accomplishments across anglers. They are worth the read!
Go at your own pace.
This is not a test! Do not be intimidated! If you simply want to work on one cast a day, week, month, or whatever, that is fine! A facilitator (an observer at Bronze, or a Certified Instructor or documented Gold Recipient at Silver and Gold) can confirm your achievement and check them off as you go. Get and keep a confirmation form, especially if you want the recognition pin and award document. It is your development, and this is about progress, not perfection. Also, remember not to “over practice.” Thirty to forty minutes at a time is plenty, more than that can lead to fatigue, injury, and bad habits.
Don’t care about recognition? No problem!
This is still a great program to work through for your own benefit—and you will benefit with more fishing opportunities and fun on the water. FFI wants you to become better at this sport—we all benefit from that! And although FFI wants you to be a member it is not required to access FCSD.
Dive in!
Try something in Bronze. If it is too challenging, get help, shorten the distance, or go to Foundation level. Since it is self-paced, you can set aside as much time as you desire out of your fishing schedule to achieve these skills. Take your new skills with you fishing and spend more time catching with less frustration. Keep after it—the rewards are great!
If you are a facilitator, please refer to the Facilitator Guide.
You have a very important role in the perception of the program and development of the angler. The Facilitator Guide is meant to help with that.
Award Levels & Course Diagrams
Foundation Level
This level presents instruction and drills to establish foundation skills for learning to cast a fly rod and form a casting loop that takes the fly to the fish. These foundation skills help us understand loop formation, loop control, accuracy, and changing direction. It is meant for all fly anglers needing to learn or improve fundamental skills. The guidance of an experienced caster or a certified instructor will be helpful. There are excellent resources in the Casting Education area of this web site and in the Fly Casting Skills Development video series.
Foundation level skills are as follows:
F1. Assemble Gear
All fly fishers must be able to properly assemble gear. The following are the minimum required:
- Assemble the rod
- Attach the reel
- Line the rod and get about 1 rod length of fly line past the rod tip
- Straighten the leader
NOTE: F1 may be unnecessary or impractical for some anglers or situations.
F2. Feeling the Line—Circles, Ovals, and Straights
This is a fun way to get the feel for the rod and line! It teaches how the line does what the rod tip does, and that the angler is in control. With the fly at 20-25 ft., the angler will move the near-vertical rod in a clockwise circle (rt. handed caster) forming circles. After about 6-8 revolutions, move the rod in a clockwise oval for another 6-8 revolutions. Finally, make this oval narrower back to front until the rod is moving nearly straight forward and back. Pay special attention to safety!
FISHING APPLICATION (F2-F5)
The ability to feel the rod bend during the casting motion and develop loop formation and control are fundamental skills for all casts that follow through the Gold level.
F3. Horizontal Loop Formation Drill
Starting with the fly at 25 ft. the angler moves the rod in a horizontal plane (rod is parallel to the ground) with smooth acceleration through the right size arc to an abrupt stop causing loop formation. At 25 ft., the right size arc may be marked by 2 cones about 12 ft. apart; the angler accelerates the rod tip from one to the other. Line and leader are allowed to fall to the ground and should be relatively straight. The goal is to create a narrow, casting loop with 4 ft. or less distance between fly and rod leg. The horizontal plane allows easy observation of the forward and back cast loops which should be nearly identical. It can be helpful to do this along a straight line such as stretched rope or measuring tape. This is also a great drill to do with longer bits of line.
F4. Horizontal False Casting Drill
Starting with the fly at 25 ft. the angler makes the same horizontal casting motion but does not allow the line/leader to fall. The angler must pause just long enough to allow the line to straighten, but not fall to the ground, before the next cast. Narrow loop formation (4 ft. or less fly to rod leg) is still the goal. When practiced with longer lengths of line, a bit longer pause is needed.
F5. Climb the Wall
Starting with the fly at 25 ft. the angler will start with horizontal false casting with narrow loops and raise the rod tip in 10-20 degree increments up toward a near-vertical casting position. Narrow loops are maintained throughout. Once an angle close to vertical is reached, the caster will work back down to horizontal in like fashion. Anglers should master one length of line at a time for F3-F5 but then may work out to 30 ft. in approximate 2 ft. increments (reel to the first guide above the reel).
FISHING APPLICATION
The ability to cast narrow loops in any rod plane is a helpful skill. Narrow loops will help the fly angler achieve accuracy and distance.
F6. Cast to Targets
The targets are both 30 ft. from the angler but 20 ft apart. Starting with the fly at one target, the angler uses a series of near-vertical false casts to change direction to the other target. The fly should land within 2 ft. of the center of the targets. Once the fly is delivered the fly is cast to the starting target in like fashion. Try repeating the cycle 3 times and see if 6 targets in a row can be achieved. Try challenging yourself to get as close to the targets as possible!
FISHING APPLICATION
You can take this cast fishing with dry flies! Accuracy is critical.
F7. 35 ft. Lob or Water Tension Cast
Starting with the fly stretched to 30 ft. behind the angler, a lob or water tension cast is made with a crisp forward stop so the line/leader land relatively straight 180 degrees from where it started. Adding weight to the leader just above the fly is helpful on grass.
FISHING APPLICATION
Change of direction casts or getting a fly from downstream to upstream is critical when fishing in current. You can take this cast fishing!
Bronze Level
This level presents instruction and drills to establish foundation skills for learning to cast a fly rod and form a casting loop that takes the fly to the fish. These foundation skills help us understand loop formation, loop control, accuracy, and changing direction. It is meant for all fly anglers needing to learn or improve fundamental skills. The guidance of an experienced caster or a certified instructor will be helpful. During confirmation by a facilitator, the angler has three tries to achieve that cast. There are excellent resources in the Casting Education area of this web site and in the Fly Casting Skills Development video series.
Bronze level skills are as follows:
B1. 35 ft. Pick Up and Lay Down (PULD) Cast, Dominant Side
Starting with the fly at 35 ft. the angler will do a PULD cast in a nearly vertical plane (no false casting or hauling) returning the fly to within 2 ft. of the center of the 35 ft. target.
FISHING APPLICATION
The pick-up and lay-down cast incorporates the essentials for all casting skills and is often used in dry fly fishing.
B2. 35 ft. PULD Cast, Non-Dominant Side
Starting with the fly at 35 ft. the angler will do a PULD cast with the rod tip and line traveling over the non-dominant shoulder, (no false casting or hauling) returning the fly to within 2 ft. of the center of the 35 ft. target.
FISHING APPLICATION
Due to wind and obstacles, the pick-up and lay-down cast sometimes must be done off the non-dominant side.
B3. 35 ft. Horizontal PULD Cast
Starting with the fly at 35 ft. the angler will perform a PULD in a nearly horizontal plane (no higher than 2 o’clock) with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape. The leader must not pile but may be curved. (No false casting or hauling)
FISHING APPLICATION
The horizontal PULD has the same elements as the vertical version. It has many uses such as casting in the wind, keeping line shadow low, and casting under obstructions such as mangroves in saltwater fishing.
B4. Shooting Line to 40 ft.
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will strip the fly back to 35 ft. The angler will cast and shoot the line to 40 ft. No more than 3 false casts are allowed but slipping/shooting line is only allowed on delivery. The fly must land within 2 ft. of a 40 ft. target.
FISHING APPLICATION
False casting is useful but should be minimized when fishing. Shooting line is an important skill for lengthening the cast, especially on delivery, so that the previous casts are less visible to the fish.
B5. Accuracy to 25 and 35 ft. Targets
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler strips the fly to approximately 20 ft. The angler must now achieve targets at 25 ft. and 35 ft. on the tape. The line will be lengthened during false casting between targets. The fly must land within 2 feet of the center of the target. If a target is missed the angler picks up where the fly has landed and tries again but has only 3 tries for each target. Angler must achieve both targets. No hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
Casting accuracy, including shooting line and estimating distance while false casting/slipping line, is essential to catching fish. Loop formation skills mastered in B1 are important.
B6. Minimum 35 ft. Roll Cast, Dominant Side
Starting with the fly at 35 ft. or more, the angler will perform a roll cast with line/leader landing relatively straight and within 2 ft. of either side of the tape. The D loop (back loop) should be formed by slowly dragging the line into position such that the fly and leader do not leave the water surface or grass. A roll cast tool is suggested if performed on grass or indoors. No hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
The roll cast is an isolated forward cast with many uses, including removing slack, when there is no back-cast room, with heavy nymph rigs, and raising sunk lines and flies to the surface.
B7. Distance to 50+ ft.
Starting with the fly at about 55 ft. the angler will strip the fly back to 35 ft. A cast is made to 50 ft. or more with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape and leader relatively straight. False casting, hauling, and shooting are allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
Distance is both useful and fun! It is often used in lake and saltwater fishing. Try to get to 50+ ft. with as few false casts as possible.
Silver Level
Loop size and shape of approximately 4 ft. with a relatively straight fly leg will be helpful but not required for all casts. This level may be achieved all at once or at the angler’s own pace. The facilitator must be a Certified Instructor or a documented Gold-level participant. During confirmation by a facilitator, the angler has three tries to achieve the cast.
Silver level skills are as follows:
S1. Dominant Side 45 ft. PULD and Shoot
Starting with the fly at 45 ft. the angler will strip the fly back to 40 ft. and perform a dominant side PULD with a shoot on delivery to within 2 ft. of the center of a 45 ft. target. No false casting or hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
Efficient fly delivery without multiple false casts is an important fishing skill for a drift boat and saltwater fishing, as well as reducing fatigue.
S2. Non-Dominant Side 45 ft. PULD and Shoot
Starting with the fly at 45 ft. the angler will strip the fly back to 40 ft. and perform a nondominant side PULD with a shoot on delivery to within 2 ft. of the center of a 45 ft. target. No false casting or hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
The same degree of casting efficiency is often required off-side.
S3. Belgian Cast and Shoot
Starting with the fly at 45 ft. the angler will strip the fly back to 40 ft. and perform a Belgian cast and shoot line with the fly landing within 2 ft. of the center of a 45 ft. target. No hauling or false casting.
FISHING APPLICATION
Because of the continuous tension on the line, the Belgian cast is useful for sunk lines, weighted flies, in the wind, and with multi-fly rigs.
S4. Minimum 35 ft. Roll Cast, Non-Dominant Side
Starting with the fly at 35 ft. or more the angler will perform a non-dominant side roll cast with line/leader landing relatively straight and within 2 ft. of either side of the tape. The D loop (back loop) should be formed by slowly dragging the line into position such that the fly and leader do not leave the water surface or grass. A roll cast tool is suggested if performed on grass or indoors. No hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
Due to wind and obstacles, it is often necessary to perform the roll cast off the non-dominant shoulder.
S5. Accuracy to 20, 30, and 40 ft. Targets
Starting with the fly at 45 ft. the angler strips line in to get the fly to 20 ft. The angler must now achieve an offset target at 20 ft., 10 ft. to the left of the tape, at 30 ft., 10 ft. to the right of the tape, and 40 ft. on the tape. The line will be lengthened during false casting between targets. The fly must land within 2 feet of the center of the target. If a target is missed the angler picks up where the fly has landed and tries again but has only 3 tries for each target. Angler must achieve all three targets. No hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
Accuracy is essential to catching fish. Change of direction and shooting line between targets are often necessary.
S6. Right Reach Mend
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will perform a reach mend to the right without slipping line with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape and without dragging the line/ leader after landing. The final rod position should be at 45-90 degrees to the direction of the cast. The line/leader may be curved, but the position should be adequate to account for a faster current nearer the angler than the target.
FISHING APPLICATION
When casting across multiple currents the water in front of the angler may be faster than further out near the fish. It is helpful to use a reach mend up-current in faster water to get a drag-free drift.
S7. Left Reach Mend
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will perform a reach mend to the left without slipping line with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape and without dragging the line/ leader after landing. The final rod position should be at 45-90 degrees to the direction of the cast. The line/leader may be curved, but the position should be adequate to account for a faster current nearer the angler than the target.
FISHING APPLICATION
Same as above with current in the opposite direction.
S8. Distance to 60+ ft.
Starting with the fly at about 65 ft. the angler will strip the fly to 40 ft. A cast is made to 60 ft. or more with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape and leader relatively straight. False casting, hauling, and shooting are all allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
Distance is both useful and fun! It is often used in lake and saltwater fishing. Loop size and shape must be maintained for best results.
Gold Level
To achieve Gold, the back (including the pick-up) and forward cast loop size and shape must be 4 ft. or less top to bottom leg with a relatively straight top leg for the first cast (G1) only. Loop size is assessed 4 ft. back from the nose of the loop as the line/leader connection passes the rod tip. No or few tailing loops are allowed. There are 3 tries to achieve each cast. The performance will be confirmed by a documented Gold-level participant or an FFI Certified Instructor and all must be done all at once. For one exception, see Performance and Tackle guidelines.
Gold level skills are as follows:
G1. Loop Control Demonstration
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will demonstrate 4 false casts with 4 ft. loops on the back and forward casts. No tailing loops.
FISHING APPLICATION
Loop control is critical to accurate, efficient fly delivery at all distances. Here the angler demonstrates his or her ability to control a 40 ft. cast.
G2. Seated/Kneeling Cast & Shoot
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will strip back to 35 ft. and pick up and shoot to 40 ft. with the fly landing within 2 ft. of a 40 ft. target. False casting and hauling are allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
Fishing from a kayak, float tube, or crouching behind cover requires loop control from this position.
G3. Curve Cast
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will perform a curve cast to the side of their choice with the line/leader curving around an obstacle at approximately 25 ft. The fly should land about 45 degrees from the line layout between the caster and the obstacle. A pull-back mend to assist the curve is acceptable.
FISHING APPLICATION
This is a great presentation cast for getting around obstacles or for directing a baitfish imitation when first imparting motion.
G4. Slack Line Presentation
Starting with the fly at 40 ft. the angler will perform a slackline presentation of their choosing. The fly must land beyond the line tip and within 4 ft. of either side of the tape. The slack should take up 3 or more feet such that the fly is no more than 37 ft. away from the angler.
FISHING APPLICATION
This cast can be used to help get a drag-free drift when casting downstream or giving a weighted fly enough slack to sink.
G5. Roll Cast Pick Up and Shoot
Starting with the fly at 50 ft., the angler will strip line back to 35 ft. and make a roll cast pick up with extension of line to a minimum of 45 ft. within 3 false casts. The fly must land within 4 ft. of either side of the tape. Hauling allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
This is used in fresh and saltwater when stripping flies close and then casting long, such as with weighted streamers and sunk lines.
G6. Back Cast Delivery
Starting with the fly at 50 ft. the angler will strip to 40 ft. and then make a back cast delivery to a minimum of 45 ft. with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape. False casting and hauling are allowed. The Galway cast is not allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
This technique is helpful with wind onto the casting arm side and to change delivery direction 180 degrees as is sometimes need in saltwater.
G7. Non-Dominant Side Accuracy to 20, 30, and 40 ft. Targets
Starting with the fly at 45 ft. the angler strips the fly to 20 ft. While casting off the nondominant side the angler will achieve target at 20 ft., 10 ft. to the left of the tape, at 30 ft., 10 ft. to the right of the tape, and 40 ft. on the tape. The line will be lengthened during false casting between targets. The fly must land within 2 feet of the center of the target. If a target is missed the angler picks up where the fly has landed and tries again but has only 3 tries for each target. Angler must achieve all three targets. No hauling.
FISHING APPLICATION
Accurate, non-dominant side casting to a target is frequently necessary for many fishing situations due to wind or obstacles. Examples are fishing from a flats skiff, a drift boat, or having an over-hanging tree on the casting arm side.
G8. Distance to 70+ ft.
Starting with the fly at about 75 ft. the angler will strip the fly to 40 ft. A cast is made to 70 ft. or more with the fly landing within 4 ft. of either side of the tape and leader relatively straight. False casting, hauling, and shooting are allowed.
FISHING APPLICATION
Distance is both useful and fun! Learning to control loops at a longer distance improves all our casting. It is often used in lake and saltwater fishing.