"I’ve been chasing steelhead with a two handed rod for over 10 years now and in all that time, Rick has been the one guy that I look up to in the casting department. You don’t need to be a great caster to catch steelhead, but the day is a lot more enjoyable when your casting reaches a level where you can consistently pitch that fly out there in a nice straight line regardless of wind conditions, tight quarters, or distance to target water. Getting into a natural casting rhythm frees you up to focus on reading water and enjoying the natural world around you. That Zen casting state eluded me for several years before I finally threw in the towel and spent a morning of instruction with Rick. I don’t know what took me so long, because that morning changed everything! What is great about Rick’s teaching style is that he really breaks things down for you in a way that will stick with you long after the lesson is over. I value Rick greatly as a casting mentor, fishing partner and friend.
Larry Halyk,Biologist and Stewardship Coordinator,Steelhead Junkie since 1969 - 2011
"After a lifetime of float fishing and bottom bouncing for steelhead I decided that I needed a new method for chasing my favorite fish. As a result I began using a spey rod in 2009 on Great Lakes and west coast rivers. My casting was progressing well until I hit a wall at around the seventy to ninety foot mark. Regardless of how many books I read or videos I watched I could not get over the hump. Realizing that I needed professional help I contacted Rick Whorwood to help me with my issues. After a morning of instruction with him on Ontario’s Grand River I found my loops tighter and my distances increasing. Using his tips, concepts and home work assignments I find my casting improves each time I go out. Whether you are brand new to spey casting or like me just looking to improve your technique I highly recommend a morning with Rick it will be the best investment you can make in your angling arsenal."
Chris Atkinson
Founder, Nottawasaga Steelheaders
2008 National Recreational Fisheries Conservation Award Winner
"A number of years back I believe it was 2005, I took part in a spey casting class offerd by Natural Sports with Rick Whorwood.I was relatively new to two handed rods and spey casting. I learned enough from that class that I was comfortable enough to go out and fish the two hander with little risk injury to myself. Little did I know the profound influence that day would have on my life and my fishing. In 2007 a group of us planned to go steel heading, the group grew from 10 people to 45 and became the first Grand River Spey Clave which I organized.The event has grown to an average attendance of around 250 people. If not for Rick's advice and help over the years I probably would have given up on my spey casting/fishing and I have no doubt the Grand River Spey Clave would ever have come to be. Thanks Rick for serving first as a mentor and later as someone I feel fortunate to call a friend."
Randy Wilson, Grand River Spey Clave - 2011
"Working with Rick is like going fishing with an old fishing buddy...Except for the fact that this fishing buddy just happens to be a Certified Master Caster and is chock-a-block full of fly fishing expertise!!! Rick is someone who genuinely enjoys fly fishing and sharing his knowledge with others. It’s rare to find someone who is this qualified that still has a genuine concern for their clients. If you want to improve your fishing, the easiest way is to take some casting instruction from Rick Whorwood."
Tim Chapchuk - Toronto - 2011
"This past weekend I got together with Rick for a one on one spey casting lesson, hoping to improve on the little bit I had learned in the last year. I was not sure what to expect, being new to fly fishing and had never taken any kind of lessons before, but from the first meeting Rick made me feel at ease and wasted no time getting into things. I was 35 minutes early and he was already there ready and waiting. We talked about every part of a fly rod setup, and in no time at all I was feeling that I had learned more in this one morning than I had in the last year of reading and researching and trying different things, and I hadn't even hit the water yet, much less held a rod! Rick has a great way of teaching and is able to relay, both visually and verbally, techniques to help you along at every step of the way. I came away from this experience feeling so much more confident in what I am working towards and can't wait to get back with Rick next year to learn some more. Everything he told me was clear and made perfect sense; I have lots of good homework!
Much Appreciated Rick"
Matt Scott - St. Catharines, ON - June 2011
"Hello Rick,
My apologies for having forgotten to send my review comments about the great course you ran in Iqaluit. I can share with you that I found the course to be very helpful, informative and educational. I learned a lot about fly fishing to the point I now would feel very confident and comfortable talking to some of my clients about fly fishing because the equipment and techniques we learned about are very different from ordinary casting reels and equipment. Your clear presentations made it very easy to understand different processes about fly fishing. I can also share that your wealth of knowledge and practise both as a fly fishermen and as an instructor add a very easy flow and good learning atmosphere in the class room. Thank you so much for the great classes; I look forward to hitting some fishing spots with you in the future!"
Peter Kilabuk - PEO Services, Pangnirtung, NU - 2011
"Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and teaching skills to his fly casting courses. His professionalism and his teaching techniques improved the casting of everybody that took part in the courses we put on at our store. I highly recommend to everyone out there that has a chance to take a lesson with Rick to do so. You won't regret it"
Chris Munn, Fredericton Outfitters & Anglers Ltd - 2011
"I've been spey casting for approximately five years, yet have not been able to comprehend it. I was at a point where I was going to give it up and merely fly-fish regularly. I spent two days with Rick on the river, he started me with the basics, and then we began more advanced casting. In those two days with Rick I learned more about spey casting than I did in the last 5 years on my own. I recommend anyone who is interested in spey casting to take Rick's course"
Joe Penich - 2011
"I first met Rick several years ago through a mutual fly fishing friend. I was tagging along hoping to pick up a few casting pointers as Rick acted as a mentor to my friend in improving his fly casting skills. I wasn’t disappointed. It was impressive watching Rick patiently and expertly passing on his casting and teaching methods and it made me
realize how important good fly casting abilities are if you really want to enjoy the full fly fishing experience.
Since first meeting Rick I have had quite a few opportunities to cast and fly fish with him. Every time we get together he is eager and willing to share something new that I can add to my bag of tricks as a fly caster and fly fisher.
What ever stage of fly casting or fly fishing you are at, Rick can teach you something new. He knows his stuff and how to pass it on."
Doug Swift - 2011
"I have taken several casting lessons with Rick over the years, both single-hand and double-handed. I found him to be a very patient teacher, always courteous and informative, plus he has a very easy to understand approach to teaching the mechanics of casting. Give him a try; you'll come away a better caster"
Phil Clough - 2011
"I first Met Rick at the original Grand River Spey Clave . There were many top names in the Spey world attending and presenting. I was very impressed with Rick’s attention to detail about Spey casting and his teaching ability. He started at the basics , how to tape the rod etc. I have had a number of fly casting lessons with Rick since and he is an excellent teacher and is genuinely interested in improving your casting ability.
I would recommend Rick to anyone interested in improving their two handed skills."
John Sally, Burlington Ontario - 2011
"I had signed up for spey casting lessons in the spring of 2011 at Fredericton Outfitters Fly Shop in New Brunswick I had just started to learn about spey casting and met Rick for a lesson at the Ledges Inn on the bank of the Miramichi River in Doaktown, New Brunswick. It was the perfect location for fly casting lessons. Rick has a great ability to teach fly casting. He is very patient and recognized problems in my cast immediately. In pointing these out to me, I was able to begin the process to make adjustments and corrections. I benefited very much from Rick Whorwood’s instruction, and I will keep practicing to improve on the techniques I learned from him.
I am looking forward to seeing Rick again in June for a refresher lesson and hope to perfect my casting. Rick is an expert teacher for sure."
Ernie McFadzen, Fredericton NB - 2011
