"Do this with as few false casts as possible, eventually getting so you can move from the nearest target to the farthest target with no more than two false casts."
EFFICIENT Fly Casting
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There are a number of implications and applications that come with this statement, and many of them relate to casting. If you can hit “the spot” on your first cast instead of on your 20th cast you’ll be better off. If you can get your fly back out to “the spot” again with two false casts, rather than with fifteen, you’ll be better off. The first of these requires casting accuracy and the second requires the ability to shoot line well. Both of these can be improved with practice and practice is best done away from water and fish. Put some targets out on the lawn (ball caps work fine) at various “fishing distances” - say 20, 30, 40 and 50 feet from you. Work on dropping a hookless fly or a small piece of yarn as close as you can to each target. To cast with repeatable accuracy your casting stroke should not only be correct, but consistent. It should also be compact and concise, with no unnecessary movements of your casting hand or arm. You’ll be most accurate if you cast with the fly rod in a nearly vertical plane - ie not tipped off to the side the way most of us are inclined to cast. Work on one target for awhile and then switch to another. Then, make one cast to the nearest target, the next cast to the next target, and so on. Do this with as few false casts as possible, eventually getting so you can move from the nearest target to the farthest target with no more than two false casts.