Spey Casting tuition day for members

PERTH AND DISTRICT ANGLERS’ ASSOCIATION

CASTING CLINIC, UPPER DELVINE BEAT

SUNDAY, 8 MAY 2022

Background:   The Committee of the Perth and District Anglers’ Association (PDAA) recognises that there has been a significant number of new salmon members joining this year and it might be beneficial to offer a casting clinic where professional instructors can teach Spey casting methods and offer advice on techniques to improve casting ability. This year’s clinic will be held on 8 May at the Upper Delvine beat. Members will be updated on any Covid restrictions before the event, if necessary.

Aim:    The aim of the dayis, using professional casting instructors, to teach some of the more inexperienced members some basic Spey casting techniques which will allow them to cast more confidently in both upstream and downstream wind conditions. The day is also designed to allow more experienced members the chance to have their casting critiqued and improved if necessary.

Location:         The Upper Delvine Beat is located on the River Tay near Spittalfield. Directions can be found on the PDAA website at Upper Delvine – Perth & District Anglers Association (pdaa.co.uk). Detailed directions and instructions will be sent nearer the event date.

There is sufficient space for car parking.

Timings: The day will start at 0900hrs prompt and finish at 1700hrs. Tuition sessions will be from 0930hrs to 1130hrs, 1215hrs – 1415hrs and 1445hrs to 1645hrs. It is important that those members having tuition are ready to start at least five minutes before their allocated session.

Format:           To provide the maximum amount of tuition, it is proposed to have three instructors per session with three students each. This allows for 9 students per session and 27 in total. For each individual session, three students will meet the instructor at the allocated position on the beat. Each session will start with the instructor giving demonstrations and advice followed by the students practicing casting and the instructor giving advice and more demos if necessary.

Instructors:     The instructors will be:

1. Andrew Toft                            https://www.andrewtoft-flyfishingequipment.co.uk/
2. Scott McKenzie                       https://www.mackenzieflyfishing.com/collections/masterclass
3. Iain Kirk                                   Fishing Guides in Scotland, Alba Game Fishing. All regions

Clothing requirements:         Clothing required will meet the needs of the weather on the day. Depending on the river level, wellington boots (non-slip) should be sufficient rather than waders – your choice. Life preservers are not required. If the river level dictates a change of plan in this regard, participants will be informed by phone and email the day before the event.

Fishing Tackle:            Participants should use a rod with which they normally fish, with a floating tip. The leader should be of the length normally used with a piece of wool or similar instead of a fly. The instructor can supply suitable wool if required.

Bio-Security:               All wading boots, waders, or wellingtons plus tackle should be clean and dry before arriving at this event.

Refreshments:            The day will start with bacon rolls at 9am with coffee/tea/water. A “running” barbecue will be available from 1130hrs to 1600hrs.

Cost:   The cost of the day for each participant receiving instruction will be £30 including tuition, liquid refreshments, bacon rolls and barbecue.

Safety:             As always, safety is paramount both on the river and in the refreshment/barbecue area. Please be aware of what is going on. Members of each instructional group should look out for each other’s safety on the river.

Note: The beat is part of a working farm and there could be sheep grazing on the access track and within the vicinity of the hut and barbecue area. Farm machinery may well be active. There may also be children and dogs playing near or on the track.  Be aware of this when driving to/from the venue and PLEASE DRIVE AT A SAFE SPEED. Leave any gates as you find them (Gates will be signed). Please place any litter in the bags provided.

COVID Rules:  Covid rules for the day, if necessary, will be provided nearer the event date.

Registration/Payment:          Registration is open NOW.

For Registration contact the PDAA Secretary – sec@pdaa.co.uk    

For Payment of £30 please use bank transfer:

Account Name:           Perth and District Anglers Association

Reference:                   PDAA NUMBER, CLINIC

Sort code:                    83 47 00          Account:  19631792

Or send a cheque to the treasurer:

Iain Cummings, 12, The Ness, Dollar, FK17 7EB

IMPORTANT NOTE: NUMBERS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO 27 MEMBERS WHO WISH TO HAVE TUITION. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO NEW MEMBERS IF THE DAY IS OVER SUBSCRIBED.

It is vitally important that we confirm numbers for the day early so that, in the event of a shortfall, we can release one of the instructors (who all live busy lives). We must therefore ask that applicants pay the registration fee by 10 April 2022. The Secretary will hold the list of Successful applicants and also a “Reserve list”. Applicants on the main list who do not pay by 10 April will be removed and replaced by a member from the reserve list