3. Substance and style

The substance of a fly cast is directly related to the Five Essentials. Casting actions outside the Five Essentials are considered style. Every caster has or will develop an individual style; how they stand, grip the rod and the choice of casting plane.

Prior to a casting lesson, ask the student where he/she fishes, what species of fish they’ll pursue, and what methods they use. For example, do they fish for bonefish from a boat? Do they fish lakes from a float tube? Do they fish small streams? This information will help determine optimal casting styles, such as side arm casting when saltwater fishing, high arm position when low in the water in a float tube, or vertical casting in small streams to avoid stream side brush. If the Five Essentials are adhered to and the cast is effective and appropriate for the situation, then style is a personal choice.

When considering style choices, ask if the student has physical limitations. A bad shoulder is the most common source of pain/soreness and might not allow the hand to be much higher than the shoulder. Elbow and wrist pain are also common and may require a style modification. For more information on casting injuries, see https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7588766/.

Casting style should be considered when conducting a demonstration for a student. Different casting styles each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Can the style easily be seen? Can the style choice be something a student can understand, repeat, and retain?

Personal style develops over time, and all certified instructors should develop demonstrations of different styles. If the Five Essentials are followed, style can be individualized and unique and the proficient instructor will recognize the difference.