Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast

678 | How to Become a Fly Casting Champion with Chris Korich - Golden Gate Casting Club, Maxine McCormick

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Episode notes

Presented By: Grand Teton Fly Fishing, Smitty's Fly Box, Jackson Hole Fly Company

Curious how an 11-year-old girl managed to beat everyone and become the world fly casting champion? Chris Korich, legendary casting coach to top champions like Maxine McCormick, is here to reveal the secrets behind her success.

You’ll hear Maxine’s full story, from winning her first titles at just 9, 10, and 11 years old to outcasting the best in the world.

Chris also shares the number one thing every caster should know, along with tips on rod selection, essential gear, and the history of fly rods. Find out why some top pros still swear by 1970s graphite rods to dominate competitions today.

Episode Chapters with Chris Korich on How to Become a Fly Casting Champion

02:34 - Chris tells us about his childhood near the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club in San Francisco. He spent his youth at the Oakland Casting Club, which opened its casting pools in 1958, just blocks from his home. By age eight, he had his first job helping people catch fish.

06:21 - Chris shares how he and his brother stumbled onto their first fishing rod—a discarded, rusty push-button reel they found by chance. They fixed it up and started casting at the trout ponds.

The experienced anglers noticed and stepped in to teach them how to cast properly. One of them was Tony Perry, who became Chris’s first coach.

Coaching Maxine McCormick

09:51 - Chris shares how he became Maxine McCormick’s coach. It all began when he got a call from Donna O’Sullivan, who saw Maxine at the Golden Gate Club. Maxine was only 9 when she started, and within a couple of lessons, she was already scoring casts like a pro.

15:56 - In 2013, Maxine started training with her dad, Glenn, just a few months after meeting Chris. They jumped into tournament casting, and five months later, Maxine competed in the National Casting Championship.

She outscored every woman in a national competition. By 11, Maxine was making headlines, beating everyone except Chris and Steve. At 12, she became the youngest world champion in the sport.

30:06 - Chris explains that starting with a full-flex rod, like the ones from the old days, helps you feel the line better. He also talks about the benefits of shorter rods, especially for beginners or those fishing in windy conditions.

40:49 - We chat about the best fly rods for beginners, especially for kids. Chris discusses how shorter, softer rods, like fiberglass or combination graphite-glass ones, work great for new casters.

He shares a cool story where 22 women tried different rods, and everyone picked a short fiberglass rod as their favorite. It helps them feel the line better and roll cast more easily.

54:10 - Chris shares a fun exercise with a butter knife to help listeners understand the importance of "feel" when fly casting.

1:00:59 - Chris explains that while many anglers still use long rods, the trend is starting to shift. He compares it to skiing, where shorter skis became popular to help beginners learn, and then they went back to longer skis—only to eventually return to shorter ones again.

Chris believes that shorter rods make fly fishing easier, especially for beginners, and encourages anglers to try them out.

1:10:51 - Chris says there's no doubt that Steve Ray Jeff is the greatest fly caster in history.

1:13:11 - Chris shares the impressive story of Maxine, who broke records at the world fly casting championships in Norway. Despite limited training, she scored 80 points in accuracy and won multiple gold medals.

Maxine is also focused on finishing her biology degree while still finding time to fly fish and work at a fly shop. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/678