As everyone has said, it was a relaxed and fun day of learning and enjoying the company of neat people. Here are some photos:
We took up a good portion of a pocket park at the harbor. LBBC Master Instructor Tim helping my wife learn to cast.
I figured it would be a good idea to have some who knew what they were talking about (and weren't married to her for 40 years) give her those first good habits. Tim is an enthusiastic and extremely talented caster who also really enjoys sharing what he knows....as did all of our instructors.....Larry, Dok, Mark and everyone who shared.
Mark and Dok working out the angles on one of the "holes". They had simulated pretty much every casting situation you might run into in your fishing career.
Flybob brought his incredible collection of rods and some of the best smoked salmon anyone had every tasted.
It was good to see Chuck/Fish-on-bro there.
Mark and Dok line us out on how the casting game is played. Each group went out with a casting instructor who kept score and add assistance if needed.
The tippet station was where we loaded our rods with heavier tippet to assist with casting the yarn bullet in the wind. Everything was thought out and there when we needed it.
If you ever wondered what it was like to cast a surf fly rod or a delicate bamboo....you could. Lots of incredible equipment to try.
Tim had my wife, Chris making some tight looking looks when they got done with their session.
After lunch, it was on to the games. We broke into groups and started at different ends of the course.
Larry was with us for the first casting session at Dana Point and he is a lot of fun to work with and to watch. He really loves teaching.
Tim marking the score card.....kinda like a golf card with the holes and your tries.
This fellow was riding by on his bike and saw what we were doing and Mark asked him to join us....and he did.
Ariel (who is a serious student of casting herself and working on her Instructors Certificate) gave Chris some pointers on timing and feel
You could hear the drool hit the ground as the Addicts gathered around these incredible nets. Wonderful craftsmanship and detail.
There was horse hair....feathers and propelyene yarn for the tiers. What a field day!
Flybob's incredible smoked salmon. Wow!
My wife, Chris and Kathy, Mark's wife with Dillon....their dog.
The food was incredible and very plentiful. Karen's brownies were stellar and all gone by the end of the day.
The tables were full for both lunch and dinner
Mark and Blu concocting their special Mac and Cheese....Cast Iron style.
Eric had some dutch oven beans that were like desert!
Both of these guys are mean on the BBQ.
The winners of this year's competition. Ryan, David and Mark.
Finally.....the next generation of Fly Addict coming down the pike....Eric's Grandaughter, Sophie learns the casting basics.
Thanks to Mark and all the instructors for spending the day with us. It was classic and we will definitely be there next year.
Jim