Fly-Casting Finesse

Book excerpt: Fly-Casting Finesse reveals expert John L. Field’s secrets of fly-casting based on modern observation, Field’s experience as an angler and casting teacher, and his collaboration with international members of casting clubs and schools. Whether the reader is a salt- or freshwater angler, Fly-Casting Finesse will help the caster increase accuracy and distance as well as hone presentation. It runs the gamut from one-hand spey techniques to dealing with wind on the flats. Although not a complete casting curriculum, the purpose of the book is to help anglers learn how to achieve more and know where to get assistance. Many of the skills at the highest levels of fly-casting require an educated sense of feeling in the rod hand that enables the caster to use finesse and seemingly minimal effort to manipulate the rod and line. The book will guide people down the path of acquiring that magical touch. According to Field’s philosophy, readers should first learn all casting styles and techniques to adapt them for any species and location they encounter, and secondly, they should know the history and purpose of presentation, so they can be innovative in the future. In applying this book to angling, he’s not trying to teach the reader how to catch more fish; he’s trying to help the reader catch the fish he or she wants. Skyhorse Publishing is proud to publish a broad range of books for fishermen. Our books for anglers include titles that focus on fly fishing, bait fishing, fly-casting, spin casting, deep sea fishing, and surf fishing. Our books offer both practical advice on tackle, techniques, knots, and more, as well as lyrical prose on fishing for bass, trout, salmon, crappie, baitfish, catfish, and more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.