In spin casting the weight of the lure pulls the line off the reel. In fly casting the weight of the line carries the fly to the fish. In fly casting you must learn to use the rod to cast the weight of the fly line. You can do that quickly by following five basic principles of good fly casting:

1. The line (and fly) goes in the direction you point the rod tip during the cast.
2. Good fly casting is not strength-related; it is timing-related. Thus you must practice the timing of the cast to become a good caster. How much practice? At least 15 minutes a day to become a good caster in a month.
3. Proper stroking and stopping of the rod are fundamental to good fly casting. The caster loads energy into the rod during the casting stroke. The rod releases the energy into the line in the cast. The caster loads a little energy (a short, low-energy stroke) into the top of the rod for short casts; he loads a lot of energy (a short, powerful stroke) into the middle and bottom of the rod for a long cast.
4. Casting arcs (the arc the rod makes in the air during the cast) are small for short casts and large for long casts.
5. Stopping the rod after the casting stroke is critical to forming the casting loop, and it allows the rod to unload, thus casting the line.

Fly fishers seldom need to cast more than 50 feet when fishing. Yet becoming proficient at long-distance casting can improve all your casting. You should learn to cast short (30 feet) first and then practice at greater and greater distances.

 

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You can't learn casting from a book. You must do it. The more you practice the better you'll become. Practice on a lawn or pool. Casting while fishing is not practice. Practice allows you to focus on casting fundamentals without distractions.

The best way to learn casting is from an expert instructor--a friend, or relative. You can also find instructors at fly-fishing schools, fly shops, or fly-fishing clubs. If one is not available, take the balanced rod, reel, and line you have bought to your back yard. You'll need at least 120 feet (60 feet in each direction) of lawn with no overhead obstructions.

Mark your fly line with an indelible marker at 30 feet. The marker will indicate how much line you have out when you cast. Place hats or some other objects on the lawn 30 and 60 feet from where you will stand. The markers will help you develop the sense of distance that is critical in casting accurately to fish.