Intermediate Fly Casting Class
November 1, 2025

This intermediate fly-casting class will build on basic skills by teaching double-hauling, mending, distance casting, focusing on smooth, straight rod-tip paths for efficient energy transfer. Students will also learn change-of-direction casts, curved casts, effective roll cast from both shoulders, and how to control loops and handle windy conditions. The goal is to gain proficiency in casting for distance and accuracy and understand how body motion and rod-tip paths affect the fly line's presentation. 

This class is ideal for anglers who have fly fished a little bit and can cast well enough to fish but still considered a “beginning fly fisherman”.
Advanced Techniques

  • Double-Hauling: Teach the acceleration and stopping motion to transfer energy effectively and achieve greater distance. 
  • Distance Casting: Focus on developing smooth, straight rod-tip paths for maximum efficiency and power to cast 100 feet or more. 
  • Change-of-Direction Casts: Incorporate techniques that allow for modifying cast direction, which is vital for fishing complex environments.
  • Roll Cast: Incorporate proper roll casting to set up proper line preparation for standard casting technique. Roll casting over both shoulders

Problem-Solving & Presentation

  • Mending: Introduce various mending techniques, such as the aerial mend and reach mend, to control line drift on the water and prevent drag. 
  • Loop Control: Emphasize making consistently tight and stable loops by practicing good acceleration to stop, which creates a strong, unfurling loop. 
  • Wind Casting: Develop skills for casting into and with the wind, including techniques for controlling the fly line effectively in windy conditions.

Conceptual Understanding
  • Rod-Tip Path & Loop Dynamics: Explain how the path of the rod tip influences the fly leg of the loop and how this can be used to control and manipulate the cast. 
  • Timing & Pace: Reinforce that timing, not just muscle, is crucial for creating a successful cast and that the stop at the end of each cast is what loads the rod and gives the line momentum.
Cost: $35 or $10/BAS Premium Member
Must register at https://baysideadventuresports.regfox.com/intermediate-fly-casting-class-nov-2025 to be added to this event (Limited to 8 students)

Carpool: When you carpool to and from the starting point for an event, it is at your sole risk, whether driver or passenger. BAS does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for such arrangements. Carpooling is a private arrangement between the drivers and riders. Riders should consider contributing towards gas money (a good rule of thumb is $5.00 for each hour of drive time.) Events officially start and end at the trailhead.

Each person participates at their own risk. All participants required to have a waiver on file - www.smartwaiver.com/v/baswaiver (waivers signed after 1/1/20 are valid and are good for all BAS events) 

Dogs and alcohol are not permitted on BAS events due to liability issues.


We ask that minors come with a parent/guardian or other adult as we do not have systems in place to have unsupervised youth.

A paid BAS Premium Membership is required for the member discount. For individuals it's only $49/year! Families are $99/year. For more Information about membership and to join www.baysideadventuresports.com/membership

Instructor

 Dave Shafer
Dave doubles as the Director of Bayside Adventure Sports as well as one of the Fly Fishing instructors. Dave spent the better part of the late ‘90s and 2000s guiding in Northern California including the Upper Sac. Dave was the director of the largest fly fishing program in the US and has taught thousands of people. Simply put, Dave is the most “okayest” fly fisherman around these waters!​