Casting
Learn From the Best
Learn From the Best
Watch first-hand as experts demonstrate an array of skills and techniques for every skill level
We ask that you bring your own rod and cast along. A limited number of loaner rods will be available on site the day of the event.
All demonstrations will take place on the grassy lawn next to the River Park Trailhead.
Casting Classes
Women’s Casting
Times:
09:00 - 09:50 AM,
12:00 - 12:50 PM
A women’s class on the fundamentals of casting and techniques for improvement. Open to women of any experience level age 8 and up (participants ages 8 – 13 must be accompanied by a parent/responsible adult). Bring your own equipment or use the equipment provided.
Presenter: Cari Ray, CCI
Cari is an FFI Certified Casting Instructor, professional guide, and host of the Fisher of Zen Podcast. She is also the founder of Rio Llano Outfitters, a woman owned and operated fly fishing school and guide service based in Texas Hill Country. She spends summers blue-lining and guiding in the High Country of Southwestern Colorado and New Mexico’s famed on San Juan River Tailwater. She has a particular passion for inspiring new fly anglers and helping clients and students achieve independence and find success on the water. Cari believes that one’s mastery of casting and fishing skills is equally proportional to one’s access to the enjoyment, relaxation, and “zen” that is available through the sport.
Critical Essentials
Times:
10:00 - 10:50 AM,
11:00 - 11:50 AM,
01:00 - 01:50 PM,
02:00 - 02:50 PM
This class will focus on Critical Essentials, including loop control. This class is appropriate for someone that has casting experience and wants to become a better fly caster. It is not intended as an introductory class.
Stephen Weaver, CI
Stephen L. Weaver is president and co-founder of Good Fly Inc. and a lecturer with the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership at Texas A&M University.
Good Fly is a not-for-profit offering free fly-fishing activities aimed at giving people from stressful professions or circumstances the opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of fly-fishing. Its motto is “Casting Flies to Renew the Mind and Refresh the Spirit.” You can learn more at goodfly.org.
Steve began his fly-fishing journey on the South Fork of the Boise River 30 years ago while assigned to his first duty station in the Air Force at Mountain Home, Idaho. He has been a “Fishing Buddy” with the Brazos Valley Chapter of Reel Recovery and became a Fly Fishers International Casting Instructor in 2020.
Steve managed Birch Creek State Park at Lake Somerville for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department from 2017 to 2021.
Steve retired from the United States Air Force in 2017 after 26 years of service. Notable assignments included Chief of Antiterrorism, US Africa Command; Deputy Chief of Staff, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Commander, 19th Mission Support Group; Director, NATO Police Institutional Advisory Team – Afghanistan; and Chief of Security Forces, Air Force Global Strike Command.
His education includes a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University, an MA in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, and an MS in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Ted Warren, CI
Ted is a Certified Casting Instructor and has taught for seven summers at the Gore Creek Fly Shop in Vail, Colorado. He lives on Lake Fork and enjoys chasing big Bass with a fly. He created the World Championship Bass on the Fly Fishing Tournament and fishes extensively in the Rocky Mountains for Trout.
Alan King, CI
Alan is a registered Landscape Architect practicing in College Station, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture and sits on the Professional Advisory Board for the department.
Alan has been married to his wife Kerran since 1991 and they have two adult daughters.
Alan began fly fishing in 2002 and became a Certified Casting Instructor in March of 2020. He has been a Fishing buddy for Reel Recovery and in 2020 he co-founded Good Fly Inc, a non-profit that offers free fly casting and fly-fishing programs to reduce stress and anxiety. He enjoys teaching casting and adventure travel.
Alan has fished many locations around the country and has a passion for trout though local bass ponds are his target in Texas.
Andy Payne, CI
Andy is a CPA and retired in 2016 from a career in financial leadership positions with numerous private companies, mostly in the energy services industry. He began fly fishing with his son in 1986, a tradition that now extends to his grandsons.
To improve his casting ability Andy joined FFI in 1998 and attended many casting workshops at Expos, eventually becoming a Certified Casting Instructor in 2012. He served on the Board of Texas Council of Fly Fishers International from 2018 through June of 2021 as Casting Director, Vice President and President of the Council. He is a life member of FFI, CCA-Texas and Trout Unlimited.
Andy volunteers his time and knowledge to teach casting at events and with clubs in the Council. He is focused on developing his knowledge surrounding use of coaching video software to assist fly fishers with their casting skills.
Andy is also working on his bucket list of places to fish.
Bryan McMurry, CI
Dr. Bryan McMurry and his wife, Roberta live in Millican, TX during the winter and spring months. He is the owner of Dr. Fly Consulting and operates the Alaska Fly Fishing Academy based out of Talkeetna, AK where he and Roberta live during the summer. He also manages the fly-fishing business, guides, and is the casting instructor for Dave Fish Alaska in Talkeetna. Additionally, he works as the marketing director for GoodFly™, a non-profit organization that provides free fly-casting workshops for first responders in Texas. Bryan grew up fly fishing for steelhead on the Klamath River in Northern California and returns there every fall on his way back from Alaska to fish this wild and scenic fishery. He has fly fished for most of his life and is a Certified Casting Instructor with Fly Fishers International.
Beginner Casting Classes
First Cast
Times:
09:00 - 09:50 AM,
10:00 - 10:50 AM,
11:00 - 11:50 AM,
12:00 - 12:50 PM,
01:00 - 01:50 PM,
02:00 - 02:50 PM
A Co-ed class introducing a basic Pick-Up-and-Lay-Down cast for first-time fly casters. Other basic skills will be covered as time allows. No equipment or experience is required. Open to all new fly fishers age 8 and up (participants ages 8 – 13 must be accompanied by a parent/responsible adult).
Stephen Weaver, CI
Stephen L. Weaver is president and co-founder of Good Fly Inc. and a lecturer with the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership at Texas A&M University.
Good Fly is a not-for-profit offering free fly-fishing activities aimed at giving people from stressful professions or circumstances the opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of fly-fishing. Its motto is “Casting Flies to Renew the Mind and Refresh the Spirit.” You can learn more at goodfly.org.
Steve began his fly-fishing journey on the South Fork of the Boise River 30 years ago while assigned to his first duty station in the Air Force at Mountain Home, Idaho. He has been a “Fishing Buddy” with the Brazos Valley Chapter of Reel Recovery and became a Fly Fishers International Casting Instructor in 2020.
Steve managed Birch Creek State Park at Lake Somerville for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department from 2017 to 2021.
Steve retired from the United States Air Force in 2017 after 26 years of service. Notable assignments included Chief of Antiterrorism, US Africa Command; Deputy Chief of Staff, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Commander, 19th Mission Support Group; Director, NATO Police Institutional Advisory Team – Afghanistan; and Chief of Security Forces, Air Force Global Strike Command.
His education includes a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University, an MA in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, and an MS in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Ted Warren, CI
Ted is a Certified Casting Instructor and has taught for seven summers at the Gore Creek Fly Shop in Vail, Colorado. He lives on Lake Fork and enjoys chasing big Bass with a fly. He created the World Championship Bass on the Fly Fishing Tournament and fishes extensively in the Rocky Mountains for Trout.
Alan King, CI
Alan is a registered Landscape Architect practicing in College Station, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture and sits on the Professional Advisory Board for the department.
Alan has been married to his wife Kerran since 1991 and they have two adult daughters.
Alan began fly fishing in 2002 and became a Certified Casting Instructor in March of 2020. He has been a Fishing buddy for Reel Recovery and in 2020 he co-founded Good Fly Inc, a non-profit that offers free fly casting and fly-fishing programs to reduce stress and anxiety. He enjoys teaching casting and adventure travel.
Alan has fished many locations around the country and has a passion for trout though local bass ponds are his target in Texas.
Andy Payne, CI
Andy is a CPA and retired in 2016 from a career in financial leadership positions with numerous private companies, mostly in the energy services industry. He began fly fishing with his son in 1986, a tradition that now extends to his grandsons.
To improve his casting ability Andy joined FFI in 1998 and attended many casting workshops at Expos, eventually becoming a Certified Casting Instructor in 2012. He served on the Board of Texas Council of Fly Fishers International from 2018 through June of 2021 as Casting Director, Vice President and President of the Council. He is a life member of FFI, CCA-Texas and Trout Unlimited.
Andy volunteers his time and knowledge to teach casting at events and with clubs in the Council. He is focused on developing his knowledge surrounding use of coaching video software to assist fly fishers with their casting skills.
Andy is also working on his bucket list of places to fish.
Bryan McMurry, CI
Dr. Bryan McMurry and his wife, Roberta live in Millican, TX during the winter and spring months. He is the owner of Dr. Fly Consulting and operates the Alaska Fly Fishing Academy based out of Talkeetna, AK where he and Roberta live during the summer. He also manages the fly-fishing business, guides, and is the casting instructor for Dave Fish Alaska in Talkeetna. Additionally, he works as the marketing director for GoodFly™, a non-profit organization that provides free fly-casting workshops for first responders in Texas. Bryan grew up fly fishing for steelhead on the Klamath River in Northern California and returns there every fall on his way back from Alaska to fish this wild and scenic fishery. He has fly fished for most of his life and is a Certified Casting Instructor with Fly Fishers International.
Open Session
Time: 3 - 5pm
Come in and cast on your own
Stephen Weaver, CI
Stephen L. Weaver is president and co-founder of Good Fly Inc. and a lecturer with the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership at Texas A&M University.
Good Fly is a not-for-profit offering free fly-fishing activities aimed at giving people from stressful professions or circumstances the opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of fly-fishing. Its motto is “Casting Flies to Renew the Mind and Refresh the Spirit.” You can learn more at goodfly.org.
Steve began his fly-fishing journey on the South Fork of the Boise River 30 years ago while assigned to his first duty station in the Air Force at Mountain Home, Idaho. He has been a “Fishing Buddy” with the Brazos Valley Chapter of Reel Recovery and became a Fly Fishers International Casting Instructor in 2020.
Steve managed Birch Creek State Park at Lake Somerville for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department from 2017 to 2021.
Steve retired from the United States Air Force in 2017 after 26 years of service. Notable assignments included Chief of Antiterrorism, US Africa Command; Deputy Chief of Staff, Defense Threat Reduction Agency; Commander, 19th Mission Support Group; Director, NATO Police Institutional Advisory Team – Afghanistan; and Chief of Security Forces, Air Force Global Strike Command.
His education includes a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University, an MA in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University, and an MS in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Ted Warren, CI
Ted is a Certified Casting Instructor and has taught for seven summers at the Gore Creek Fly Shop in Vail, Colorado. He lives on Lake Fork and enjoys chasing big Bass with a fly. He created the World Championship Bass on the Fly Fishing Tournament and fishes extensively in the Rocky Mountains for Trout.
Alan King, CI
Alan is a registered Landscape Architect practicing in College Station, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture and sits on the Professional Advisory Board for the department.
Alan has been married to his wife Kerran since 1991 and they have two adult daughters.
Alan began fly fishing in 2002 and became a Certified Casting Instructor in March of 2020. He has been a Fishing buddy for Reel Recovery and in 2020 he co-founded Good Fly Inc, a non-profit that offers free fly casting and fly-fishing programs to reduce stress and anxiety. He enjoys teaching casting and adventure travel.
Alan has fished many locations around the country and has a passion for trout though local bass ponds are his target in Texas.
Andy Payne, CI
Andy is a CPA and retired in 2016 from a career in financial leadership positions with numerous private companies, mostly in the energy services industry. He began fly fishing with his son in 1986, a tradition that now extends to his grandsons.
To improve his casting ability Andy joined FFI in 1998 and attended many casting workshops at Expos, eventually becoming a Certified Casting Instructor in 2012. He served on the Board of Texas Council of Fly Fishers International from 2018 through June of 2021 as Casting Director, Vice President and President of the Council. He is a life member of FFI, CCA-Texas and Trout Unlimited.
Andy volunteers his time and knowledge to teach casting at events and with clubs in the Council. He is focused on developing his knowledge surrounding use of coaching video software to assist fly fishers with their casting skills.
Andy is also working on his bucket list of places to fish.
Bryan McMurry, CI
Dr. Bryan McMurry and his wife, Roberta live in Millican, TX during the winter and spring months. He is the owner of Dr. Fly Consulting and operates the Alaska Fly Fishing Academy based out of Talkeetna, AK where he and Roberta live during the summer. He also manages the fly-fishing business, guides, and is the casting instructor for Dave Fish Alaska in Talkeetna. Additionally, he works as the marketing director for GoodFly™, a non-profit organization that provides free fly-casting workshops for first responders in Texas. Bryan grew up fly fishing for steelhead on the Klamath River in Northern California and returns there every fall on his way back from Alaska to fish this wild and scenic fishery. He has fly fished for most of his life and is a Certified Casting Instructor with Fly Fishers International.
Accuracy Casting Contest
Time: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Participants will sign up for a chance to cast at targets, with the most accurate caster winning a prize.
Judged By: Fort Worth Fly Fishers
Winner receives a Fly Box from Fatties On The Fly and a half-day guided trip with owner Ben Tabor on the Brazos or Paluxy River. Awards will be handed out at approximately 4 PM following the conclusion of the Coffee & Caddis Big Trout Contest.
Contestants with high scores are encouraged to hang around and stay for the awards ceremony that will take place at approximately 4:45pm or directly following the Coffee & Caddis Big Trout Contest to see if they won and to get a photo at the stage. If contestants are unable to stay, arrangements will be made for winners following the event.
Distance Casting Contest
Time: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Participants will sign up to see who can cast the farthest distance to win a prize.
Judged By: Fort Worth Fly Fishers
Winner receives a Fly Box from Fatties On The Fly and a half-day guided trip with owner Ben Tabor on the Brazos or Paluxy River. Awards will be handed out at approximately 4:00 PM following the conclusion of the Coffee & Caddis Big Trout Contest.
Contestants with high scores are encouraged to hang around and stay for the awards ceremony that will take place at approximately 4:45pm or directly following the Coffee & Caddis Big Trout Contest to see if they won and to get a photo at the stage. If contestants are unable to stay, arrangements will be made for winners following the event.