April Vokey is a well-respected fly fishing instructor/guide/influencer, and she paid a visit to the Green Bay Packers’ indoor training facility in mid September, right before the teams’ game against the New York Jets. The reason for her visit was to help several Packers players learn more about fly fishing and then provide tips for fly casting.
Working alongside Tim Landwehr of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Company (which is located in De Pere, Wisconsin, just 5 miles south of Green Bay), Vokey spent time coaching select NFL players on developing a tight loop with their fly line and generally slowing down their mechanics. The key to making efficient, accurate and long casts with a fly rod isn’t strength; instead, it’s technique and timing.
Check out the 35-second YouTube video below to see NFL players attempt a skill that is all about finesse instead of force.
Vokey later wrote on Facebook: “I had the chance to put fly rods into the hands of a few of the Green Bay Green Bay Packers and it turns out professional athletes pick up timing and coordination frighteningly fast. Doesn’t hurt that a few of them are already skilled outdoorsmen. A few small adjustments and they were sending some beautiful loops across the field. Such a fun and wonderfully unexpected afternoon. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!”
P.S. Organizers of the event joked that learning patience, focus and a good fly cast might have helped the Packers beat the Jets!