Ideas?!?!

[sushiyummy]

I second the idea of casting on one part to get the casting down, and the second on actually fishing and presentation.

As for the first part, the Continous Tip loading can be a defining part that would separate your DVD from others. I don't think this concept has been fully explained- but then, I haven't seen every DVD out there. Some of your past postings deal with:

1. How the line lays before starting the load- affecting loading
2. The Out and Around Roundhouse path to maintain the load.
3. The firing position of hands
4. The fwd stroke
5. How 3 and 4 are different for longer heads.
6. Common errors to the above stages.

For the second part, you have posted in the past the versatility of skagit, one being getting your fly in a challenging operating zone such as a undercut bank or root.

Hope this adds to your crusade.

[Riveraddict]

...to all for your suggestions. Every one of them sounds very interesting and worth pursueing to me. Unfortunately, the current reality is that the budget we have right now isn't as "empowering" as I would have liked. With the current state of the economy, it is understandable as to why sponsorship hasn't been as enthusiastic as we had hoped. So, in all probability, all of our shooting will be contained to whatever we can drive to within a day. But, I am optimistic that there is still the chance to acquire more sponsors before the end of our shooting schedule. So, keep on with the ideas, regardless of location. Who knows, if this turns out real well, then a second DVD concentrating on the fishing part, could be a reality.

As it stands right now, the main purpose of this DVD will be to example "everything you wanted to know about Skagit casting", but shot as in as much of a "living the life/fishing along with" context as possible. This "viewpoint" is going to provide for much of the casting to be actual "on river" and therefore also present the opportunity to hit on actual fishing info as well.

So, yes, there are already some instructionals out there about Skagit casting. But, none of them that I have seen are as in depth or complete as needs be as regards taking one's Skagit casting from that "easy to learn, just to get the fly out there" stage, beyond to the "kick-ass, blazing line speed with hardly any effort" stage. There are some very key points of high performance Skagit casting that have yet been shown, and THAT is one of the reasons that I have been compelled into doing this project. And yeah, perhaps these last couple statements sound a bit pompous... but it's taken many years of prodding by many people for me to finally even consider doing something like this. I AM the kind of person that thinks, "who me, you've got to be kidding. I'm not doing anything THAT special!"

[Phil Fravel]

How about pre selling the videos to help with the budget.

[Riveraddict]

...that I could use more suggestions on... tight quarters casting. The last couple of years I have been really into the Switchrods-as-Skagit-casters gig, fishing up in Alaskan side channels for 'bows, that I have talked about on these Speypages before. The fish were part of the excitement to be sure, but a large degree of it was also the circumstances... fishing in waters from 30' to 70' wide with restricted overhead and/or backcast room, with most of the fish holding in spots consisting of structure/pockets arranged against willow over-grown highbanks and/or cutbanks. The major approach was wading downstream, casting from straight-across to quartering downstream casts, with a short, super fast sinking tip and weighted fly. The "game" was - cast into pockets, in front of snags, beside snags, behind snags - fish it just long enough to pull any fish from out of the particular pocket or snag, then move on to the next "target". This was fun for me because it was opposite of most of my typical open water, blast-'em-as-far-as-you-can steelhead/salmon fishing. It was also very educational for me as regards the precision and accuracy of fly placement that can be had with Skagit casting and a Switchrod. This is one of those things I would like to include on the DVD. Anyone have any suggestions on a similar scenario, any species, any where in the lower 48?

[Trevor]

What about skagit casting drylines with nymphs & skaters/bushy dries over pocket water? Any smaller, steeper river with trout or steelhead would lend itself to this. Salmon flies? Hoppers? Royal Wulffs over mountain cutts?

[Steelie Mike]

How about 4wt speys, skagit lines, small flies and moderate to heavy tips for Columbia River Shad. I get laughed by just about every ethnic group I fish around, but it is a lot of fun and effective. You might end up with a spring salmon or walleye on the other end of your line as well.

[PKK]

How about a segment to show people how to land fish. there is alot of info/discussion on how to cast and how to catch but I have never seen anything on how to properly land and handle these beautiful creatures. I see way too many times people beaching fish and it drives me crazy. each and everyone of these fish is very special, so how about it, do something for the fish. PK

[sixrivers]

Budget aside, what better location for a vid specifically about the advantages of the Skagit cast than on the banks of the Skagit. Sure, it would be nice to add tight quarter tactics in the rivulets that make up the braids, but you must have something similar close to home? Even if you didn't, this production should be about Skagit and you and why it makes sense to employ it instead of traditional, or anything else. Adding your reasons for using certain terminal gear in certain locations is what most viewers will thirst for.
The "Kiss" system may not be all that bad!

[rckrego]

Ed-

I think you better talk to our Michigan contingent and have them take you out on their rivers for the log jam/root ball brownies. I think it will be well suited to a switch rod and some skagiteering. the name of the game there is put your streamer deep under the cover and pull out some slabs of gold. Maybe hook up with Kevin Feenstra or Bob Linsemann.

[Riveraddict]

...the main thrust of this project is going to be on casting. But, as the casts are being demonstrated, I want to showcase them in as wide a variety of circumstances as we can, in order to not only example the casts, but to also demonstrate the versatility of application that the Skagit approach has, and even to dispel some of the misconceptions that surround this methodology. The Skagit technique is still "young" enough that there is as yet info and "discoveries" that have not made their way out to the general angling population because there seems to be a "lag time" of a few years. For example, the Skagit "short" gig that's just now appearing on the general angling scene, was actually implemented "on river" about 5 years ago.

Another example,, the generally displayed thought that Skagit is only for heavy, fast sinking tips and/or big, heavy flies. This is an understandable misconception, after all, those are the circumstances of origination for Skagit, and therefore it is a practically expected evolutionary process to attempt casting a smaller, lighter fly with the same outfit, observe the excessive speed and force of casting turnover, the resulting forceful splashdown of line and fly and then conclude that it is necessary to resort to other casting approaches when the need arises for smaller flies/more delicate presentations. Which, in actuality is an erroneous conclusion - the casting methodology works fantastically for small flies, if one knows to make an adjustment in lines.

And, of course, showing the widest variety of casting circumstances will, I'm hoping, get people to expand their views on the use of DH's and Switch rods beyond steelhead and salmon. And not necessarily with the intent of promoting a more "productive" angling method, but rather of promoting the concept of being able to flyfish under a broader set of circumstances and therefore having more fun with flyfishing!

[Carl]

Ed,
From what I've read in your posts over the years, I think you're about fishing rather than casting for the sake of casting.

Most casting videos organize the casts artifically (often from simplest to most difficult to execute) instead of adapting to river situations you face when fishing. The following situations could be addressed with a variety of species, times of year, and waters chosen to highlight how Skagit style addresses it effectively:

Various wind directions and strengths
Stillwater, river right and river left (or matching current direction if ocean)
Limited backspace on strong and/or weak side
Floating line/leader/fly, moderate depth, dredging
Presentation variations--casting angle, the mend, stripping, slowing or
speeding the swing
Position--shallow wading, deep, in a boat, on shore, jetty?

An approach based on situations would let you teach the fundamentals while also sharing the ways to adapt to the demands of the moment. I suspect all of us have found that taking a dozen steps downstream can change numerous fishing variables. You could organize them from more basic to more advanced, or focus on one particular aspect of the casting technique in each situation after a brief introduction that summarizes the key points of the cast. Then all of the situational segments reinforce the key points of the cast but show you adapt to the above variables...and you can show the line management, strike management, fish fighting/landing/releasing that make it more exciting.

Carl

[Riverborn75]

If you want a fish that isn't glamorous, but will have you giggling like a school girl, shad are your best bet. Fish the mighty Columbia with a trout spey. You can catch 70 or more on a good day, and they run two to five pounds!

You will need heavy tips and heavier flies (I often use tiny 1/16th oz jigs). The tricky part is the heavy wind and walls of rock or brush behind you(skagit video right ).

IF you need advice let me know. It is a riot!

[Boston]

Ed,

Since you taught me (attempted) your style of casting, I feel it would be successful here in the New England area where we have several tidal rivers. Please feel free to contact me regarding fishing some of these waters as you develop your video!

Ernie

PS. It is a very foreign concept in these parts...it should be interesting.

[Winndknot]

Ed...

Lifestyle...., unshaven, eaten Taco Bell burritos for 5 days straight...when the fish are in, everything stops...


A spey bum's wife!

[Winndknot]

Lots of places with tight quarters.....lots of places with lots of fish.....bass, bluegill, cutts, etc.