Patent Publication Number: US-2007102884-A1

Title: Fishing pole casting air golf game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This is a Completion Application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/733,582, filed Nov. 4, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention pertains to apparatus for improving fishing casting techniques in the context of a game and thereby both challenge and potentially improve both fishing success and enjoyment. More particularly, the present invention is related to apparatus and method wherein differently configured targets are arranged in a golf course like setting and players use fishing poles and attempt to aim and cast a weighted plug into the openings of the targets.  
      2. Description of the Prior Art  
      Fly fishing has become a very popular sport. It provides a great deal of enjoyment and challenge to anglers everywhere. However, perhaps the most important aspect of fly fishing is the difficult techniques of casting the “fly.” More specifically, it is important for a fisherman to be able to consistently cast a fly replica into a desired location, or “target area.” This location is typically and hopefully near a fish.  
      The presentation of the fly to a fish is critical to fly fishing success. Casting to the wrong spot may result in no response by the fish or in “spooking,” or frightening, the fish. Neither result is desired since the goal of fly fishing is to convince the fish that an imitation of a living creature attached to the end of a line is a real “fly.” 
      The most important and effective, yet most often ignored method of improving fly casting ability is practice. An angler can practice casting technique by merely “blind” casting out into a pond or a lawn. Although this form of practice will likely improve technique and help with the pure mechanics of casting in order to truly improve accuracy, an angler needs to focus his/her casting to specific targets. Such “blind” casting will likely do very little to improve casting accuracy.  
      Not only is such “blind” casting not very useful in improving casting accuracy, this form of practice is not very enjoyable to most anglers. If the angler enjoys the time spent practicing, the angler is more likely to practice and thereby increase his/her chances of fly fishing success.  
      Illustrative methods and apparatus that provide anglers with a challenging yet productive activity to improve the accuracy of their casting skill are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,021,792 (LaBaw); U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,116 (Florida); U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,439 (Kraemer); U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,136 (Land); U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,995 (Howard); U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,693 (Ray); U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,528 (Boivin, Jr.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,207 (Jacobus).  
      Thus there is a need in the art for an effective, useful, and inexpensive apparatus and method that enables a user to practice casting and enjoy the time spent practicing. The apparatus and method described herein, in both the text and figures, seeks to remedy the problems in the art and provide a method and apparatus for improving the fly casting ability of fly fishermen.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for improving the casting ability of a fisherman, in the context of a golf game like setting. Preferably, an apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention comprises  
      a set of casting targets, each said target being substantially flat and having a central opening, the central openings in the casting targets being of a different size from one another and the targets being placeable in spaced apart relation from one another and about a target area, and  
      a fishing rod, said fishing rod including a fishing line having a first end attached to the fishing rod and a second end distal to said first end, and a bait replica attached to the second end of said fly line,  
      wherein the fisherman aims and casts the fishing rod towards a selected one of the casting targets and the central opening thereof, in succession, and causes the second end portion of the fishing line and bait replica thereon to be propelled towards the target opening and in a manner that the bait replica thereon will be received in the central opening of the casting target aimed at.  
      According to one aspect of this embodiment, the casting targets are flat, annular, and include a central opening that is circular, and the target area is generally flat. Preferably, the casting targets are of a lightweight plastic material, differently colored, and the central openings vary in size from 24 inches diameter to 40 inches in diameter. For greater challenge, the smallest central opening may be less than 24 inches diameter.  
      According to another aspect of this embodiment, the casting targets are disposed at predetermined locations of the target area consistent with prevailing environmental features and to optimize the casting skills required to locate the bait replica inside the central openings of the targets.  
      In some applications, the target area is located outside, such as in a yard or park, and the casting targets are placed at predetermined locations in proximity to trees, ponds, and in association with prevailing surface contours. In other applications, the target area is located inside, such as in a gymnasium, warehouse or like arena, to enable casting practice and game playing during inclement weather.  
      According to yet another aspect of this embodiment, the bait replica may be formed into the shape of a fishing lure, or simply be a shaped weight. Illustrative of such, the fishing lure may be elongated and have one end portion attached to the second end of the fishing line and a second end portion.  
      In one application, the shaped weight is in the range of about ⅜ ounce (10.36 gram) to about 1 ounce (28.349 gram).  
      According to an important feature of this embodiment of the invention, the fishing pole and line thereof may be that of a fishing rod, for fly casting, or a fishing rod, for spin casting.  
      In another preferred embodiment according to this invention, there is provided a game apparatus for improving the casting ability of a fisherman, the game being playable by more than one player and simulating that of a golf course, the game apparatus comprising:  
      (a) a fishing pole for each player, each having a fishing line and a castable plug attached to the fishing line,  
      (b) a set of casting targets, each target being generally flat and annular and providing a planar lower surface for placement on the ground of the target area and a central opening for receiving the castable plug, the diameters of the central openings being different from one another, and  
      (c) an instruction book setting out the rules of the game, including how the targets are placed relative to a target area and representative of golf holes, defining what constitutes par for a given target and the points assigned to a player when completing a hole, scoring, and defining how a player wins the game according to the rules of the game.  
      Preferably, according to an aspect of this latter embodiment, the game apparatus includes four fishing poles, one for each of four respective players, nine annular casting targets, such as to represent the nine holes of a golf course, each of a bright but different color, and the castable plug is fanciful and in the shape of a fishing lure. The plug is as described hereinabove for the shaped weight.  
      Further, the game apparatus preferably includes a set of plastic flags, one for each respective casting target and each preferably provided with a respective number one through nine to correspond to respective of the holes found on a golf course, and a scorecard for each respective player.  
      In yet another preferred embodiment according to this invention there is provided a game apparatus, in the form of a kit. The kit is preferably supplied without the fishing poles and includes the herein above described castable plugs, the castable targets (nine or eighteen, depending on the golf course being simulated), the golf hole flags (nine or eighteen, depending on the golf course being simulated), with numbers thereon representative of a hole of the golf course (one through nine one through eighteen), and the scorecards. Further, the kit comprises an official set marker, to keep score, and an instruction book setting out the rules of the game. The instruction book also includes helpful information, such as knot tying, casting techniques, and line replacement information.  
      The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for improving the fly casting technique of a fly fisherman. In this regard, the method can be broadly summarized by the following steps:  
      (1) obtaining a fly rod with a fly line attached thereto;  
      (2) attaching a fly replica to an end of the fly line, the fly replica being of a predetermined weight and shape;  
      (3) arranging a plurality of annular casting targets about a target area, the casting target having a generally planar lower surface placed upon the ground of the target area and each having a central opening which defines a target area that is intended to receive the fly replica cast thereto by the fisherman; and  
      (4) casting the fly replica at the target so as to permit the fly replica to fall within the center opening of the target.  
      Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the casting improvement aid and game system of a preferred embodiment to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a target area for use in the casting improvement system depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT  
      Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a game, generally indicated by the number  10 , intended to be played outdoors by one to four players in completing a course similar to a golf course wherein the players arrange a set of annular targets  12 , each having a central opening  14 , about a target area  16 , and utilize fishing poles  18  to cast bait replica or weighted plugs  20 , in succession, towards and into each of the respective central openings  14 . The game  10  can be enjoyed by children as well as adults. The game is not only in the form of entertainment but also educational, challenging, and useful as an aid in improving the casting skill of a golfer.  
      Although the game  10  is intended to be played outdoors, it is to be understood that in inclement weather the game may be played indoors. The “golf course” is defined by the players and the casting targets  12  are disposed at predetermined locations of the target area consistent with prevailing environmental features and to optimize the casting skills required to locate the bait replica  20  inside the central openings  14  of the casting targets  12 .  
      When the game  10  is played outdoors and the target area  16  is in a typical yard or park, the casting targets are placed at predetermined locations in proximity to trees “T”, ponds or water bodies “W”, and in association with prevailing surface contours “C”.  
      In other applications, the game may be played indoors, such as in a gymnasium, warehouse or like high ceiling structure, to enable casting practice during inclement weather and year round game playing capability.  
      The casting targets  12  come in a set of nine or eighteen annular discs, the number of targets of each set being representative of a nine hole or eighteen hole golf course. Preferably, each target  12  is annular, has planar (flat) upper and lower surfaces  12   a  and  12   b , and a central opening  14 . The target  12  is adapted to have one surface  12   a  and  12   b  placed flat atop the target area and is of sufficient weight to remain in place.  
      In the embodiment shown, the annular casting targets  12  are of a polymeric material, of a color intended to be highly visible in grass but different in color from other targets, and have a central opening  14  in the form of a circle. Important to this invention is that the diameters of the central openings  14  of the casting targets  14  of each set of casting targets (i.e., whether nine or eighteen in number) are different from one another. In one application, the diameters ranged from 24 inches diameter to about 40 inches.  
      In some games, one or more of the casting targets  12  may be identical to one another as to the diameter of the central opening  14 . Further, in some games, for greater challenge, the size of the diameters may be less with the smallest central opening  14  having a diameter that is less than 24 inches.  
      According to an important feature of this invention, the fishing pole  18  and line  22  thereof may be that of a fishing rod, used for fly-casting, or a fishing rod, used for spin casting. In either situation, the fishing line  22  has a first end  22   a  attached to the fishing pole  18  and a free or second end  22   b  distal to the first end  22   a , and the bait replica  20  attached to the second end  22   b  of the fishing line  22 .  
      The bait replica  20  may be formed into the shape of a fishing lure, or simply be a shaped weight. As such, the fishing lure may be elongated and have one end portion attached to the free end  22   b  of the fishing line  22  and a second end portion.  
      In one application, the bait replica  20  is that of a shaped weight, which is in the range of about ⅜ ounce (10.36 gram) to about 1 ounce (28.349 gram).  
      The game apparatus  10  preferably includes a set of plastic flags  26 , one for each respective casting target  12  and each flag preferably provided with a respective number one through nine, to correspond to respective of the holes found on a nine hole golf course, or nine to eighteen, to correspond to a respective of the holes found on an eighteen hole golf course.  
      Additionally, the game apparatus  10  includes a scorecard  30  for each respective player “P”, and an official set marker  32 , to keep score, and a game instruction book  34 . The instruction book  34  sets out the rules of the game, including defining (i) how the game is played, (ii) where the targets are placed relative to a target area and representative of golf holes, (iii) what constitutes par for a given target and the points assigned to a player when completing a hole, (iv) scoring, and (v) defining how a player wins the game according to the rules of the game. The instruction book  34  may also include helpful information, such as knot tying, casting techniques, and line replacement information. Other game rules or information may be included where helpful or to define other game arrangements.  
      In completion of a game, the targets  12  are placed about the target area. Play begins from the course starting point “SP”. Players in turn aim and cast their fishing rod  18  towards successive of the casting targets  12  and the central opening  14  thereof. The casting causes the second end portion  22   b  of the fishing line  22  and bait replica  20  thereon to be propelled (i.e., played out) towards the central opening of the selected target, hopefully in a manner that will cause the bait replica  20  thereon to be received in the central opening of the casting target aimed at. Any bait replica  20  landing in the central opening will finish the “hole” for that player.  
      In one set of game instructions, a score is recorded for the number of attempts taken to achieve the above result for each “hole”. Each “hole” result is given a “par” value from 3-5, based on the difficulty of the course set up. The distance of the hole (target  12 ) from the starting point (usually about 15 to about 40 feet), the hole diameter, and any obstacles (trees, boulders, shrubs, water, natural or manmade barriers, etc.) will allow players to vary difficulties of holes and create the “par” values.  
      The player will take one or more “casts” at each hole (target ring) up to the par number. If a cast is not successful in a number of attempts, less than or equal to the par, the player shall be accorded a score of one over par and the hole shall be complete for that player.  
      Each successive hole shall begin from the spot of each previous hole&#39;s target  12 . At least one foot shall touch the previous target for attempts at the next successive hole. The player will continue the process for the full nine (eighteen) holes.  
      The player completing the nine hole course with the lowest score is the winner.  
      Preferably, the game is played by four players.  
      In another preferred embodiment according to this invention, there is provided a game apparatus  10  for improving the casting ability of a fisherman, the game being playable by more than one player and simulating that of a golf course. The game apparatus comprises (a) a fishing pole  18 , one for each of four players, (b) a set of casting targets  12 , as described hereinabove, and (c) a game instruction book outlining the rules of the game. Importantly, the diameters of the central openings of the different casting targets  12  are different from one another.  
      In yet another preferred embodiment according to this invention there is provided a game apparatus, in the form of a kit. The kit is preferably supplied without the fishing poles and includes the herein above described castable plugs  20 , the castable targets  12  and golf hole flags  26  (nine or eighteen, depending on the golf course being simulated), the scorecards  30 , the official set marker  32  to keep score, and the game instruction book  34 .  
      The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for improving the fly casting technique of a fly fisherman. In this regard, according to the elements described herein above, the method can be broadly summarized by the following steps: (1) providing a fishing rod  18  with a fly line  22  attached thereto; (2) attaching a fly or bait replica  20  of a predetermined weight and shape to an end of the fly line; (3) arranging a plurality of annular casting targets  12  about a target area  16  with a lower surface thereof placed upon the ground of the target area, each target having a central opening  14  that is intended to receive the bait replica  20  cast thereto by the fisherman; and (4) casting the fly  20  at the target  12  so as to place the fly replica within the center opening of the target.  
      Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except by the appended claims.