Casting clubs

[Mike N]

We’ve had a few threads on the history of the sport of casting, but it is still a relatively unknown subject even among collectors. From fly casting to plug casting for distance and accuracy to games such as Skish, the sport drew competitors and large crowds across America as recently as the the 1960s and is still active today. ORCA honors the sport of casting with a competition at its annual meeting. Our own Matt Wickham and several other club members have incredible casting memorabilia collections.

The National Association of Scientific Angling Clubs (NASAC) was formed in 1907 by such fishing greats as author Dr. James Henshall and fish-farming pioneer Seth Green. The NASAC published its first newsletter in May, 1921. See photo.



Around 1939, the NASAC changed its name to the National Association of Angling and Casting Clubs (NAACC). The third of Cliff Netherton’s volumes is titled “History of the Sport of Casting, The N.A.A.C.C. Years, (1939-1960).” The NAACC later became the American Casting Association (ACA).

NASAC (1907-1939)




NAACC (1939-1960)





ACA (1960-present)


Here is a link to the American Casting Association’s website. They recently (May) had a casting event in Cranberry PA, just north of Pittsburgh.
http://www.americancastingassoc.org/index.html

[RandyAnderson]

Thank you for posting that information, I find it is hard to find an abundance of casting club information other than the Netherton books. I recently purchased some casting memorabilia and it had a box of hookless flies in the lot, after seeing the picture in your post I now know what they are. You and Colby keep sharing you knowledge. The effortless sharing by many of our members is what makes ORCA great.

[Mike N]

Thanks, Randy.

This book was published in 1946. What I find most interesting is the instruction that the reel be turned basically sideways with the wrist to cast in accuracy events. Since a baseball is generally released from the hand the same way with the thumb horizontal and down (not pointed up), I guess it makes sense.

[RandyAnderson]

That is the same information and form published in a Wm. H. Talbot Reel Co. brochure published in early 1900. Date based on the reel model pictured in the illustration. The information was attributed to Fred N. Peet "World's tournament winner"

Interesting that your information was taken from a book authored by Earl Osten, once a resident of my hometown, Bartlesville, Ok.

[Mike N]

***I recently purchased some casting memorabilia and it had a box of hookless flies in the lot, after seeing the picture in your post I now know what they are.***

According to Osten, a competitor would “employ only the shank*” to tie the casting flies, which makes sense especially since the hook would get caught up in the grass while retrieving if a casting pond was not used.
[*The shank is the straight portion of the hook, from eye of the hook to where the bend starts.]

Randy, maybe you can check those flies- the approved NAACC distance trout flies were size 10 with a “white body and hackle and red wings” tied in wet-fly style. The official distance salmon fly was size 00
with a “yellow body and hackle and white wings, tied in approved wet-fly style.”

[Midway Tommy D]

Too bad there wasn't as much casting history interest while Bill Burke was still alive. He was a treasure trove of competitive casting information and knowledge. I will always remember how generous he was with his time in helping me locate an ABU tournament casting spool. What a nice individual! RIP, Bill.

[kyreels]

There will be five ACA tournament casters at the National. Among Bill''s contemporaries, members BL Farley and David Roberts freely offer tournament info, as well as George McCabe, Jay Klenk and others. The casting sport is still diminishing in the USA, but is growing internationally. Here is some history on the clubs which I have previously posted:

1860 - 1873 – NYSC – New York Sportsmen’s Club
1874-1892 – NYAPFG - New York Association for the Protection of Fish and Game
1882-1889 – NRRA – National Rod and Reel Association
1891-1906 – ACAFC – Associated Clubs of American Fly Casters
1891-present – CFCC – Chicago Fly Casting Club (now Chicago Angling and Casting Club)
1894- present – Golden Gate Angling and Cast Club
1906-1938 – NASAC – National Association of Scientific Angling Clubs
1913-1922 – NACA – National Amateur Casting Association – merged with NASAC in 1923
1906-1938 – OASAC – Ohio Association of Scientific Angling Clubs
1939-1961 – NAACC – National Association of Angling and Casting Clubs
1961 – present – ACA – American Casting Association
1955-2002 – ICF – International Casting Federation
1952 – Present - CIPS - International Confederation of Sport Fishing
2003-present – ICSF – International Casting Sport Federation

The ICSF represents countries including the USA, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland. Other international casting organizations exist in Italy, New Zealand and Russia.

We will have a special discussion at the National on unrestricted casting reels. The Olsen book was one of the first to describe how to make one from the standard frames of the time.

[Terry Battisti]

Here is some history on the clubs which I have previously posted:

1860 - 1873 – NYSC – New York Sportsmen’s Club
1874-1892 – NYAPFG - New York Association for the Protection of Fish and Game
1882-1889 – NRRA – National Rod and Reel Association
1891-1906 – ACAFC – Associated Clubs of American Fly Casters
1891-present – CFCC – Chicago Fly Casting Club (now Chicago Angling and Casting Club)
1894- present – Golden Gate Angling and Cast Club
1906-1938 – NASAC – National Association of Scientific Angling Clubs
1913-1922 – NACA – National Amateur Casting Association – merged with NASAC in 1923
1906-1938 – OASAC – Ohio Association of Scientific Angling Clubs
1939-1961 – NAACC – National Association of Angling and Casting Clubs
1961 – present – ACA – American Casting Association
1955-2002 – ICF – International Casting Federation
1952 – Present - CIPS - International Confederation of Sport Fishing
2003-present – ICSF – International Casting Sport Federation

Here is an addition to this list of current ACA-affiliated casting clubs in the US.

1925 to Present - LBCC - Long Beach Casting Club, Long Beach, CA.

LBCC is going to celebrate its 100th Anniversary this year as a casting club. This year, 2024, they hosted the ACA Southwest Tournament. Looking at the results from that event there was a lot of baitcasting events that included 1/4, 1/2, 5/8 Accuracy, Open Plug (I have no clue what that is) in each weight. It seems they only had a distance event for 1/4-ounce.

Looking at the distance results for that event, because I know Paul is interested in that, here are the results:

1/4-ounce Distance (Second Cast)

1 Henry Mittel 226 (224)
2 Steve Rajeff 224 (220)
3 Colin Kumabe 182 (180)

They don't speak of what equipment was use, which really bums me out. It was cool to see the name Steve rajeff in the standings. Steve was part of the club when I was part of the club and has been a world-class caster for decades. 226 feet with a 1/4-ounce plug!!! WOW!!! Now a question for you to ponder.

Why on every one of these results is the second cast less distance than the first cast? Does it have to do with oil being slung out of the bearings and the caster not being allowed to take the reel down and relube it? Curious......

[castmaster54]

From “A C A Events and Summaries “
1/4 oz (7.5 g) plug distance single handed requires a spinning reel and has a rod length restriction of 8’2”

In the previous reply I think “(Second Cast)” means the second best cast, to be used as a tie breaker in case of a tie on the longest cast.

I hope this helps.
It’s nice to see renewed interest in tournament casting.
I was fortunate to meet and learn from many of the best casters in the Midwest when I became interested in the sport. Later I met A C A casters from all around the country. I’ve learned something from each of them.
George McCabe

[kyreels]

George,

Thanks for the response. You are one of the last experts that are active on here. Your knowledge is appreciated.

[Terry Battisti]

From “A C A Events and Summaries “
1/4 oz (7.5 g) plug distance single handed requires a spinning reel and has a rod length restriction of 8’2”

Thank you for the response George. So this was done with a spinning reel, not a baitcaster? Interersting. I'll provide the link where I got this info. Maybe it has something in there I omitted. Link: https://longbeachcastingclub.org/wp-con ... 024_04.pdf

In the previous reply I think “(Second Cast)” means the second best cast, to be used as a tie breaker in case of a tie on the longest cast.

Okay, yes that makes a lot of sense! Thank you!

I hope this helps.
It’s nice to see renewed interest in tournament casting.
I was fortunate to meet and learn from many of the best casters in the Midwest when I became interested in the sport. Later I met A C A casters from all around the country. I’ve learned something from each of them.
George McCabe

I would love to see casting clubs and tournaments gain more popularity in the coming years. I really had a fun time when I was in the LBCC and learned so much from some great casters. At that point it was all fly fishing but I have taken what I learned then and it has paid off for me for a lifetime.

Thank you again George, and Matt.

[kyreels]

Casting Sports have continued to thrive locally where people exist to mentor and support the sport. But there is no doubt it is waning in participation compared to where it was prior to 1980. The main reasons are the rules and equipment required to win most events are not the equipment used for success in fishing. The West coast clubs emphasize fly casting events, the east coast clubs still cast the rotating spool classic rules and events, and the eastern coastal clubs still exist for surf casting.

ORCA still supports casting every year in our National Convention and Show, with a tournament for 3 different equipment classes. Participation varies, but is always fun. There is a growing awareness of tournament casting reel collecting, and hopefully my book will help generate some more interest in the vintage tackle collecting community. But it takes people to organize and run the events, and like most things, the age of participants is growing. Still lots of opportunities if you reach out to the active players.

[Terry Battisti]

Matt,

Thanks for the info. I agree, the western clubs are all primarily interested in the fly rod. You said:

"But there is no doubt it is waning in participation compared to where it was prior to 1980. The main reasons are the rules and equipment required to win most events are not the equipment used for success in fishing."

I'm not sure I agree with this 100%. Especially when it comes to accuracy. The reason I say this is, in my opinion, you can take any of the top pros in any of the tours and using their gear, they will compete with anyone in a casting club. These anglers make 5000-6000 casts every day and nearly all of those casts require pin-point accuracy. And these guys/gals aren't just casting at 30-inch rings floating on the surface. In many instances they're casting under overhanging branches only a couple inches above the water and hitting a target only a couple inches in diameter. All of this done with gear that is usually that year's model.

Now, when it come to distance, I have never put a contemporary casting reel up against a vintage tournament reel. Having only two points of contact (spool spindle ends with bushings) compared to high-end enclosed bearings which have anywhere from 8 to 10 contact points each (each ball bearing I'm considering a contact point) the vintage reel tuned properly will probably win. But I am just guessing.

I've done the accuracy stuff with contemporary gear back twenty/thirty years ago when I was fishing a lot, and I rarely missed. I wouldn't dare try it today as I'd make a royal fool of myself. LOL.

I would like to hear what you think of my thoughts above.

Also, I got your book on Christmas eve and by the time I put it down, I had read it all. Great book and it reflected a ton of work. Thank you for taking the time to document all of that information. It has quickly become one of my go-to reference books.

Okay, now another rookie question for you. Nowhere can I find a difference between accuracy contests and Skish contests. Is there a difference?

Thanks again Matt for the great book and for this discussion. I've already learned a ton!

[castmaster54]

There are differences in the scoring and slight differences in the tackle. Basically Skish was created as a “fisherman’s game”using standard tackle available to everyone.
Detailed information can be found in Cliff Netherton’s “HISTORY OF THE SPORT OF CASTING Golden Years” Part 5 Fishermen’s Events
Fish-O and
Skish
This is a wonderful book! I use mine constantly!
George McCabe

[Terry Battisti]

Thank you George! I'll see if I can find a used copy somewhere. I assume it's out of print.

[kyreels]

Terry,

If you read my book, you will notice we heavily covered the evolution of distance casting events and the modification of reels for the unrestricted events. Anyone that looks at those reels and lines required to win those events would agree they are not suitable for fishing. In the surf distance events, that is less true for the reels, but required special rods that were not optimum for fishing. For the accuracy events, it depended on the rules. For a long period of time, anti-backlash was not allowed and modified gears were frequently used to reduce inertia. You never found a drag device on an accuracy reel. Many times you never found a level-wind, but this changed over time. You rarely saw more than 80 feet of line on a spool, only the amount required to reach the longest target. The Fish-O and Skish events were specifically put into place to better align the gear used to more normal fishing gear. But they are still not optimum for fishing. The reason is that gear used for fishing must land a fish, and gear used for casting accuracy does not need to land a fish.

The reason I say this is, in my opinion, you can take any of the top pros in any of the tours and using their gear, they will compete with anyone in a casting club.

That is partially true, but misses the point somewhat. If you go and watch a tournament or participate, you will rarely see a pro fisherman. You will almost never see the gear they use. Almost all the equipment used is older equipment tuned for the rules of the regional and national games. I did attend an event this summer and met ORCA member and ACA officer Ed Matuizek from Pittsburgh. He showed me how the organization had obtained and tuned modern reels and synthetic lines to suit the accuracy game. He demonstrated the new reels and custom rods, and they were closer to what you might see in fishing. But still, they are not made for drag or landing fish. It's very subtle, and requires some study to understand. If you are really interested, you should reach out to Ed for a conversation. He is probably the most knowledgeable about modern equipment used in tournament casting.

The ICSF international group has made all the rule changes to overcome this. They are using modern equipment and rules and games are made to better align the equipment with angling sports. I understand the US may be moving in this direction. See the information at https://www.icsf-castingsport.com.