March Casting Church - a change

[Regan Burmeister]

Our March casting meeting will be on Sunday the 15th of March, not the usual expected 8th (the 2nd Sun of the month).

We will meet at the usual time, 8am, at Fletcher's, but at the boathouse this time.

As shad season will be almost started, and like we did last year, we are going to focus the church on casting and fishing for shad in the Potomac from the Maryland side.

We will discuss lines and rods and how to cast them. We will discuss flies and rigging. We we will discuss presentations. We will walk upstream from the boathouse and explore where you can cast from the bank to fish for shad. We will fish for shad, there might be a few there at that time.

Note that this is not a guided trip, just individuals sharing their knowledge and experience.

You will need a DC license.  Bring your fishing gear. The shad run a little deep, so sink tips (10ft or so, fast sinking) or sinking lines are very helpful. A 6wt to 8wt rod can cast the heavier sinking lines. The instructors will have gear.

Expect mud and water to step thru, so waders and boots are helpful but not required. It is illegal to fully wade.

This change, just for March, is due to many of the instructors attending an FFI continuing education event during the Lancaster Fly Fishing show that weekend of 7th and 8th.

[robert mills]

Reagan, I did not know it was illegal to wade, is this only for the shad run, can we still practice casting in the water as long as we do not have a hook tied on? Can we walk in the water to get to rocks to cast from?

[Yambag Nelson]

It’s rarely enforced. I’ve never heard of anyone having issues wading around Fletcher’s. You shouldn’t be going above your knees regardless.

[Regan Burmeister]

Casting Church on Sunday will still happen!  Come on out and let's enjoy the spring and the fishing.

That said, I have to emphasize some common sense.

1) If you are sick, or think you might be coming down with something, please be considerate of others and rest at home. Take the time to heal and get better.  There are other weekends to fish and the people on this forum are very helpful with information.

2) Instructors will not be handling other people's fly rods.  We will demonstrate casts if needed with our own rods and offer instruction to facilitate.

3) We can still assemble in the open, but we won't be getting close around a picnic table.

4) This is a voluntary event, nothing says you have to be there.

This church is mainly focused on how to bank fish for shad.  We are going to discuss rod and line setups, and where to go on the bank.  So we will be strolling upstream, and showing you what to look for.  We will provide casting demonstration/instruction.

The only thing that will cancel this will be if it is a downpour or snowing.

See you there.  Regan

On Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 9:41:35 AM UTC-5, Regan Burmeister wrote:

[arthur noglak]

Thanks Regan!

Art,