“To put it in perspective, casters are scored in accuracy on a scale of zero to 300 in three events. Maxine scored a combined 289 in three events for fly accuracy. That tied for the fourth highest among all casters, no matter age, gender or past achievements.”
“At the U.S. National Casting Championships in Long Beach, Maxine McCormick finished fourth in fly casting accuracy behind only the world’s best, made the All-America team and bested the all-time women’s mark. That’s right, at age 11, she had the highest women’s score in history. She also broke seven junior national records in different events.
To put it in perspective, casters are scored in accuracy on a scale of zero to 300 in three events. Maxine scored a combined 289 in three events for fly accuracy. That tied for the fourth highest among all casters, no matter age, gender or past achievements.
Maxine’s 289 beat the all-time record for women, 286, set in the 1990s by Canada’s top champion, Brenda McSporran.
So what happened is that 11-year-old old Maxine just scored higher than any female in the history of the American Casting Association and was only outscored by Steve Rajeff, myself and father Glenn by just one point,” said Chris Korich of the Golden Gate Casting Club. ”
Congratulations to Maxine McCormick, an 11 year old, who just placed 4th in the US National Casting Competition in Long Beach, CA last week. This is an incredible feat because she beat out a field of practiced, seasoned veterans and scored only 1 point less than Casting Legend, Steve Rajeff. In the process, she smashed Jr records and beat the ALL TIME record for women. Again...she is 11 years old!
This is a great feat for so many reasons but for one, it shows me that there is interest from kids in fishing. We need more kids like Maxine who learn to enjoy fishing and take it to its highest level. Maxine can help to push the limits of what is possible with rod design, line design and technical skill. Maxine could be a big part of the future of flyfishing and help to usher in a new generation of kids, especially girls, to discover the sport. Maxine McCormick earned lots of new fans, and she certainly earned my fan support. I know how hard it is to do what she did. I know the people she was competing against and this is NO JOKE. This is a major accomplishment for anyone, not to mention an 11 year old!
Way to go Maxine and Glenn (her Dad). I am really proud of your accomplishment. Come fish with us in the Keys. I would love to see Maxine throw to a permit or tarpon. In fact, lets do a show. I don't know how to get in touch with Maxine, so if anyone can help us connect, that would be fantastic.
-Tom Rowland
Maxine has deservedly received a ton of praise through the media. I have linked some of the articles below.
Read the full article of what I have posted and see the pictures at this link
Or read the article below.
SF 11-year-old makes fly-casting history
By Tom Stienstra on August 10, 2015 8:11 AM
An 11-year-old girl from San Francisco turned the fly-casting world upside down last week. Nobody who has heard this tale can quite believe it.
At the U.S. National Casting Championships in Long Beach, Maxine McCormick finished fourth in fly casting accuracy behind only the world’s best, made the All-America team and bested the all-time women’s mark. That’s right, at age 11, she had the highest women’s score in history. She also broke seven junior national records in different events.
To put it in perspective, casters are scored in accuracy on a scale of zero to 300 in three events. Maxine scored a combined 289 in three events for fly accuracy. That tied for the fourth highest among all casters, no matter age, gender or past achievements.
Maxine’s 289 beat the all-time record for women, 286, set in the 1990s by Canada’s top champion, Brenda McSporran.
“So what happened is that 11-year-old old Maxine just scored higher than any female in the history of the American Casting Association and was only outscored by Steve Rajeff, myself and father Glenn by just one point,” said Chris Korich of the Golden Gate Casting Club.
Rajeff, a member of the California Outdoors Hall of Fame, Korich and Maxine’s dad, Glenn, also were placed on the All-America team. Rajeff and Korich are considered among the greatest casters in history, anywhere. Each used memberships in the Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club and Oakland Casting Clubs as foundations for success.
“I’ve coached Maxine and her father for 2½ years,” Korich said. “Leading into the championships, I knew Maxine might make the All-America team. Yet Maxine’s fly-casting excellence was beyond belief.
“As a 45-year veteran of our fun casting games and teaching, I have to honestly say that Maxine’s focus, determination and technical execution at this national championships equaled or surpassed that of Steve, myself and father Glenn,” Korich said.
Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicle’s outdoor writer. E-mail:tstienstra@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @StienstraTom