Photo by blugrnlg
This Friday, the 2013 Fly Casting Championship Festival kicks off at the Golden Gate Park Angling and Casting Club (nestled in the forest at the west end of the Polo Fields – map). The event is known as the Jimmy Green SPEY-O-RAMA, the World Championship of Spey Casting.
Spey casting is a casting technique used in fly fishing. Spey casting can be accomplished with either a normal length fly rod, or a rod referred to as a double-handed fly rod, often called a Spey rod. Spey rods can also be used for standard overhead casting.
Spey casting is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead and sea trout. Spey technique is also used in saltwater surf casting. All of these situations require the angler to cast larger flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles on the shore by keeping most of the line in front of the angler. [Wikipedia]
In addition to the competition at the casting pools, local and International casting masters will be offering free demonstrations and clinics each day from 1pm to 5pm with both two-hand and single hand rods. There will also be presentations on fly fishing destinations in the event you’re planning your next getaway.
The festival runs from 9am until 5pm all weekend, and it’s free to attend. The festival schedule:
Friday, April 19:
– Exhibits
– Competition Casting Practice
Saturday, April 20:
– Exhibits, Fly Fishing Presentations
– Spey Demonstrations/Clinics
– Competition Qualifying Rounds
Sunday, April 21:
– Exhibits
– Spey Casting Competition Finals
Sarah B.
[via Funcheap]
This is really cool. I am bringing my fly rod and will see if I can learn something.
A perfect event for those that prefer a low-key style of competition or entertainment. A close competitor to waiting for water to boil or watching paint dry. Will Eric Mar have time to stop by and greet the crowds?
THREE days of competition. Perhaps some cable channel will cover the event. The whole thing just seems a bit fishy to me.
Angling is one of those great traditional and very practical arts like sailing and cooking, requiring much grace and skill. It is the main theme of Norman MacLean’s great autobiographical short story called A River Runs Through It, and the 1990s film based upon it was really cool too. Izaak Walton’s 17th century classic, The Compleat Angler is also remarkable for its great lightness of heart although it was written during a rather dark and oppressive time of Puritan tyranny. I like to go fishing, if not for anything else than just to be out there with a task, and if a fish happens to find favor with my endeavor, then so much the better (for me – I’m sure the fish doesn’t reckon it a good time.
Richmond Resident: We look forward to your reports of watching Brady Bunch reruns on the three days of the Fly Fishing competition. Your post indicates that you are probably a great fan of sitting on your behind as you watch the “tube”, accompanied by copious amounts of your favorite junk food.