Buck Gets Schooled!

Buck Henry · 05-20-12, 08:15 AM

I recently had the privilige of attending the Atlanta Fly Fishing School's casting class and wanted to post my thoughts and observations on the class, the school, and the facilities used. I have been fly fishing for the better part of 40 years now and like many of you am self-taught when it comes to the casting part. Yeah, I can throw line out there with the best of them, but I had never gone through a comprensive class that explains the mechanics of a cast and the 6 deadly sins that will kill your cast! The AFFS casting course starts out with a great video explaining the fundamentals and addresses the 6 deadly slins and how violating any one of them will affect the cast.

But after that short video, it is out to the pond for a solid 3.5 hours of practical training where you are shown a multitude of casts and the scenarios they are used for. Once shown, you practice, practice, practice under the watchful eye of several AFFS instructors that are teaching the class. And speaking of instructors, the AFFS brings some horsepower to this class. Each instructor is a certified casting instructor, and we had the likes of Mack Martin and Eric Cook and several other instructors who are all considered some of the best in the field today.

Anyway, it is a solid 4 hour class and you will leave with a sore arm as I did! But I can say with certainty that after 40 years of casting a fly rod, I learned a ton at this class and know you will too. My next thing will be to take their advanced casting class where they use video analysis techniques to pin point where your casting stroke needs adjusting to maximize the transfer of power from the rod to the line. Here are a few shots of the class I took.

Entrance to the super nice classroom facility they have

Students hard at work learning knot tying in the classroom

Tons of hands on learning from the certified instructors on hand

The man Eric Cook!

Mack Martin showing us how it is done!

Here is a Presidential hat tip to the founders of the AFFS, Scott Swartz and Mack Martin, for putting together such a great program for the Atllanta fly fishing community. The AFFS offers a great introduction to fly fishing course, a casting class, and then their very cool advance casting class. No matter where you are in your journey of learning to fly fish, the guys at AFFS can help you shorten your learning curve and improve your game!

Scott Swartz · 05-21-12, 11:12 AM

Buck, so glad you came to the Atlanta school and got something out of it. Your comments are something we hear often. Usually goes..."I've been fly fishing for 30+ years but I want to bring my wife/son/friend and I will come with them"...then at the end of class we hear "I did not expect to learn much but I got a ton of techniques I can't wait to use the next time I go fishing". I believe it is just a product of how many of us are self taught through books, videos and friends. Thanks for a nice post. Can't wait to see you back for the advanced class. It is amazing the results that come from seeing your own cast and getting it broken down into bit sized pieces.

Fish Gazer · 07-11-12, 03:11 PM

Hey Buck, I just saw this. I learned a ton from Scott way back when. I see Eric is there now too. It was a phenomenal experience. Glad you enjoyed it.

Scott Swartz · 07-14-12, 09:03 AM

Gazer, I remember the lessons and the hard work you put in "way back when". You are certified now right? Are you still getting down to Ft. Myers any?

Fish Gazer · 07-14-12, 05:31 PM

Hey Scott, I did get certified, thanks to Eric, Kent, and your efforts. I really did work hard, and in the last year have really improved working with mostly beginners here in my local area, and thru the people I meet at work, some who are very, very sick. The water and the the rhythm of the fly rod seem to help.

Your efforts at the school sparked my interest, so thanks. I know with Eric and Mack at the school you could not find anyone more dedicated to teaching..

I will probably be in fort Meyers in October or November. I would love to book a couple days, if we make it down.. I discovered in may that my 26 y.o daugher is the real fisherman in the family. Out of no where she goes out in the back yard on estero bay and starts catching fish. If she comes I will have to bring her along. Next. Is. My grand daughter.

Thanks for all your help.. The school was a fantastic start for me.

Jeff

Scott Swartz · 07-14-12, 06:49 PM

Gazer, Congratulations on certification and helping folks learn...that is what it is all about!

How about False Albies (Little Tunny - Bonita) on fly? We now have a bigger boat to get out for blue water and the Oct-Nov bite is awesome. We still have the HB flats boat but if you want to get a few folks out that is a fun near-shore fishery in the fall for the whole family.

05-20-12, 08:15 AM	#1
Buck Henry Former NGTO President Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kennesaw, GA Posts: 8,660	Buck Gets Schooled! I recently had the privilige of attending the Atlanta Fly Fishing School's casting class and wanted to post my thoughts and observations on the class, the school, and the facilities used. I have been fly fishing for the better part of 40 years now and like many of you am self-taught when it comes to the casting part. Yeah, I can throw line out there with the best of them, but I had never gone through a comprensive class that explains the mechanics of a cast and the 6 deadly sins that will kill your cast! The AFFS casting course starts out with a great video explaining the fundamentals and addresses the 6 deadly slins and how violating any one of them will affect the cast. But after that short video, it is out to the pond for a solid 3.5 hours of practical training where you are shown a multitude of casts and the scenarios they are used for. Once shown, you practice, practice, practice under the watchful eye of several AFFS instructors that are teaching the class. And speaking of instructors, the AFFS brings some horsepower to this class. Each instructor is a certified casting instructor, and we had the likes of Mack Martin and Eric Cook and several other instructors who are all considered some of the best in the field today. Anyway, it is a solid 4 hour class and you will leave with a sore arm as I did! But I can say with certainty that after 40 years of casting a fly rod, I learned a ton at this class and know you will too. My next thing will be to take their advanced casting class where they use video analysis techniques to pin point where your casting stroke needs adjusting to maximize the transfer of power from the rod to the line. Here are a few shots of the class I took. Entrance to the super nice classroom facility they have Students hard at work learning knot tying in the classroom Tons of hands on learning from the certified instructors on hand The man Eric Cook! Mack Martin showing us how it is done! Here is a Presidential hat tip to the founders of the AFFS, Scott Swartz and Mack Martin, for putting together such a great program for the Atllanta fly fishing community. The AFFS offers a great introduction to fly fishing course, a casting class, and then their very cool advance casting class. No matter where you are in your journey of learning to fly fish, the guys at AFFS can help you shorten your learning curve and improve your game! __________________ Buck Henry Simple Goat Herder Former NGTO President Hall of Fame Member Last edited by Buck Henry; 05-21-12 at 06:34 PM.

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05-21-12, 11:12 AM	#2
Scott Swartz Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pine Island, Florida Posts: 424	Buck, so glad you came to the Atlanta school and got something out of it. Your comments are something we hear often. Usually goes..."I've been fly fishing for 30+ years but I want to bring my wife/son/friend and I will come with them"...then at the end of class we hear "I did not expect to learn much but I got a ton of techniques I can't wait to use the next time I go fishing". I believe it is just a product of how many of us are self taught through books, videos and friends. Thanks for a nice post. Can't wait to see you back for the advanced class. It is amazing the results that come from seeing your own cast and getting it broken down into bit sized pieces.

07-11-12, 03:11 PM	#3
Fish Gazer Native Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodstock Posts: 1,472	Hey Buck, I just saw this. I learned a ton from Scott way back when. I see Eric is there now too. It was a phenomenal experience. Glad you enjoyed it.

07-14-12, 09:03 AM	#4
Scott Swartz Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pine Island, Florida Posts: 424	Gazer, I remember the lessons and the hard work you put in "way back when". You are certified now right? Are you still getting down to Ft. Myers any?

07-14-12, 05:31 PM	#5
Fish Gazer Native Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodstock Posts: 1,472	Hey Scott, I did get certified, thanks to Eric, Kent, and your efforts. I really did work hard, and in the last year have really improved working with mostly beginners here in my local area, and thru the people I meet at work, some who are very, very sick. The water and the the rhythm of the fly rod seem to help. Your efforts at the school sparked my interest, so thanks. I know with Eric and Mack at the school you could not find anyone more dedicated to teaching.. I will probably be in fort Meyers in October or November. I would love to book a couple days, if we make it down.. I discovered in may that my 26 y.o daugher is the real fisherman in the family. Out of no where she goes out in the back yard on estero bay and starts catching fish. If she comes I will have to bring her along. Next. Is. My grand daughter. Thanks for all your help.. The school was a fantastic start for me. Jeff

07-14-12, 06:49 PM	#6
Scott Swartz Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pine Island, Florida Posts: 424	Gazer, Congratulations on certification and helping folks learn...that is what it is all about! How about False Albies (Little Tunny - Bonita) on fly? We now have a bigger boat to get out for blue water and the Oct-Nov bite is awesome. We still have the HB flats boat but if you want to get a few folks out that is a fun near-shore fishery in the fall for the whole family.