Beginners tips:
1. cast with your arm not your wrist, hold your rod in your favoured hand bend your wrist so the rod is like an extension of your arm, Don't be tempted to try and flick the rod or you'll lose accuracy and distance.
2. Get into a rhythm, count in your head slowly to three on the backcast and let your line straighten out. look over your shoulder to check it's straightening out properly.
3. Practise on on grass as has been already said. I used used to sacrifice a cheap bought fly and chop the hook end off, that way you can see where and how it lands.
4. RELAX! - don't tense up when casting you'll only mess up.
5. If you can fish from a boat try it - if you do mess the backcast up it'll only hit the water and it's not too much hassle to sort.
6. Get out and fish! - Try still waters and open rivers/lakes to start where there is nothing to impede your backcast. Derwent, Sharpley, Hury, and Higham lakes are all good places to start depending on where you live.
Oh and finally... Tight Lines
