Advances in rod tech and The Essence Of Fly Casting with Mel Krieger

[DFoster 0]

 I found this clip on youtube.  I've never heard of Mel Krieger although I suspect some of you have. The comments say he has passed.  The techniques he recommends are all valid and according to the narrator he was one of the best fly casters in the world at the time this was filmed. 

So here's a question- to my non professional, average caster eye he seems to have to really force the rods he's using to load?  His casting seems "clunky", lacking the elegance that I see when watch recent videos of contemporary fly fishing.  Is this just his technique or can the difference can be explained by the advancements in fly rod making?  If so that's really impressive to me.  What do you guys think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atQvR87uKSI&t=2805s

[SilverCreek 0]

Mel Krieger is a legendary fly casting instructor.

https://kriegerflyfishing.com/mel-krieger

He was a mentor to and taught Steve Rajeff, the best fly caster in the world, and taught Steve's brother, Tim who is also a well know fly caster and the owner of Rajeff Sports and Echo fly rod.

My fraternity brother, Nelson Ishiyama, president of the Ishiyama Corporation and owner of the Henry's Fork Lodge, was the editor of Mel Krieger's book, "The Essence of Fly Casting". He got me an autographed copy.

https://www.amazon.com/Essence-Flycasting-Mel-Krieger/dp/0881505056

Fly Fishers International (formerly the Fly Fishing Federation) has a award named for Mel:

"FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award

This award, honoring Mel Krieger a well-known figure in the instruction of fly casting and author of the original Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor Program, is presented in recognition of those who have made significant contributions to the FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program and the FFI Fly Casting Education Program."

https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/About-Us/Awards

When you look at videos from the past, you need to put them into historical context and the equipment that was available at that time. Early heavy fiberglass rods and heavy reels  and fly lines without the modern coatings of today's fly line.

[DFoster 0]

12 minutes ago, SilverCreek said:

Mel Krieger is a legendary fly casting instructor.

https://kriegerflyfishing.com/mel-krieger

He was a mentor to and taught Steve Rajeff, the best fly caster in the world, and taught Steve's brother, Tim who is also a well know fly caster and the owner of Rajeff Sports and Echo fly rod.

My fraternity brother, Nelson Ishiyama, president of the Ishiyama Corporation and owner of the Henry's Fork Lodge, was the editor of Mel Krieger's book, "The Essence of Fly Casting". He got me an autographed copy.

https://www.amazon.com/Essence-Flycasting-Mel-Krieger/dp/0881505056

 

Fly Fishers International (formerly the Fly Fishing Federation) has a award named for Mel:

"FFI Mel Krieger Fly Casting Instructor Award

This award, honoring Mel Krieger a well-known figure in the instruction of fly casting and author of the original Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor Program, is presented in recognition of those who have made significant contributions to the FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program and the FFI Fly Casting Education Program."

https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/About-Us/Awards

When you look at videos from the past, you need to put them into historical context and the equipment that was available at that time. Early heavy fiberglass rods and heavy reels  and fly lines without the modern coatings of today's fly line.

Thanks for the reply and education Silver.  I hope you don't think my post was meant to insult Mel? From the video I can tell he was a gifted teacher and caster.  But I'm am amazed with how much improvement this video illustrates there has been in the rods from then until now.  Given that Mel was one of the best in the world at the time I can see how much easier even a low end rod of today cast in comparison.  I wasn't a fly fisherman back when this was filmed and my only experience with old rods has been with bamboo.  I have been taking the ease of casting that comes from contemporary graphite and glass rods for granted, well no more-

[SilverCreek 0]

I don't think you were insulting Mel at all.

If I gave you that impression, please accept my apology.

One of Mel's teaching innovations is the "Down/Up method of teaching the double haul.

https://www.sexyloops.com/index.php/ps/mels-gift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQwEBevrYo4

 

[cencalfly 0]

16 hours ago, DFoster said:

 I found this clip on youtube.  I've never heard of Mel Krieger although I suspect some of you have

There is no insult percieved or otherwise.  You are such an experienced and good angler.  Your observations and comments makes us all the better. 

IMO this forum along with many others have an east of the rockies flavor.  I really like all that I've seen and learned from the FTF.  However, it's discouraging to particiapate at times.  Mel as well as the others that are part of the GGACC and west coast angling are, well special.  GGACC not as old as some but downright special (https://www.ggacc.org/About-Us and https://www.ggacc.org/history).

Fly casting and equipment experienced a remarkable jump in the west. Especially at the GGACC.  Please look at the history.  Not downplaying any progress or development anywhere.  This to me shows that we, as a group/sect of fishing sometimes don't see all that is going on.  This art and style spans so many years, nationalities, regions and sub-regions.

[DFoster 0]

On 8/16/2024 at 10:49 AM, SilverCreek said:

I don't think you were insulting Mel at all.

If I gave you that impression, please accept my apology.

One of Mel's teaching innovations is the "Down/Up method of teaching the double haul.

https://www.sexyloops.com/index.php/ps/mels-gift

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQwEBevrYo4

 

No apology needed sir.  Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately communicate my thoughts through text and I can see how using this video as an example could be misinterpreted.  I have a reverence for the traditions and history of fly fishing.  I certainly don't want to be thought of a someone disrespecting the accomplishments of an angler who's clearly one of the greats of the sport. 

[DFoster 0]

On 8/17/2024 at 1:15 AM, cencalfly said:

There is no insult percieved or otherwise.  You are such an experienced and good angler.  Your observations and comments makes us all the better. 

IMO this forum along with many others have an east of the rockies flavor.  I really like all that I've seen and learned from the FTF.  However, it's discouraging to particiapate at times.  Mel as well as the others that are part of the GGACC and west coast angling are, well special.  GGACC not as old as some but downright special (https://www.ggacc.org/About-Us and https://www.ggacc.org/history).

Fly casting and equipment experienced a remarkable jump in the west. Especially at the GGACC.  Please look at the history.  Not downplaying any progress or development anywhere.  This to me shows that we, as a group/sect of fishing sometimes don't see all that is going on.  This art and style spans so many years, nationalities, regions and sub-regions.

Cencalfly -thank you for your kind words.   I'm just a guy who like all of us, loves fly fishing.  Every once in a while, I manage to put all 500 variables together correctly and catch some of our 8" wild trout.  So much effort and expense for such a small fish and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  To me, our sport when done correctly is more of a study.  It's simple enough to get started with but as the years pass it proves difficult to master.  I've only been working at it for 15 years, a beginner in comparison to others here.  I am grateful to have learned so much by reading the members post and I'm always excited to find "new to me" videos like this one from Mel.

 I see your point about the east of the Rockies flavor but I don't believe there is any deliberate bias.  I think it just comes down to the fact that more people live on the east side, therefore there will be more post from FTF members fishing on the east side. 

[Poopdeck 0]

I’m impressed that he is able to cast so effortlessly with a rod that can be held a foot down from the cork without snapping like a twig. I got him beat by a mile in the lack of eloquence clunky casting category. I don't rate a fly fishermen by how pretty their cast is and prefer using catching as the only measure worth noting. Using my measure, I’d say he is in fact a legendary fly fishermen and I am a lousy caster. Although I can’t tell good technique from bad technique, I’d have to believe that newer technology makes a good bit of difference in the casting end of things. 

[DFoster 0]

14 hours ago, Poopdeck said:

I got him beat by a mile in the lack of eloquence clunky casting category. I don't rate a fly fishermen by how pretty their cast is and prefer using catching as the only measure worth noting. Using my measure, I’d say he is in fact a legendary fly fishermen and I am a lousy caster. Although I can’t tell good technique from bad technique,

As a guy who primarily fishes small streams in wild areas with overgrown foliage lining the banks and a low a tree canopy over the top, being accurate is far more important than being  elegant.  If an ugly cast puts my flies on target, great, I'll work with it.  However I do work on proper casting technique because it results in more accurate casting, less tangles and less time pulling my flies out of the bushes.  Having to wade through a prime pool, spooking all the fish to retrieve my flies from the bushes is one of the more frustrating things in fly fishing.   I'm not and never will be a casting champion, when I say good technique I mean relative to my own personal skill level.  I want to be able to consistently cast well enough to get my flies to where the fish are, I can't catch them if I don't.  I think we agree that catching fish is kind of the whole point to all of this.😁

[Poopdeck 0]

11 hours ago, DFoster said:

Having to wade through a prime pool, spooking all the fish to retrieve my flies from the bushes is one of the more frustrating things in fly fishing.  

This I am great at except I  just break my fly off. I really should learn to cast. 

[DFoster 0]

8 hours ago, Poopdeck said:

This I am great at except I  just break my fly off. I really should learn to cast. 

LOL, I'm sure you do just fine casting but this could be the topic of another post-"Do you or don't you break flies off to void spoiling a pool".  The thought does cross my mind. While I'm not cheap when it comes to money I am cheap with my free time.  I usually can't get past the thought of losing a pair of flies that I spent 45 minutes tying-  I really should learn to tie faster. 😄

[Sandan 0]

" I think we agree that catching fish is kind of the whole point to all of this."  Now it all makes sense to me. I knew I was missing something. 

[DFoster 0]

23 hours ago, Sandan said:

" I think we agree that catching fish is kind of the whole point to all of this."  Now it all makes sense to me. I knew I was missing something. 

Lol- glad I could help!