As owner and president of Ventana Capital, Inc., in Englewood, Colorado, Darwin Horan has developed over 20,000 lots, constructed more than 15,000 detached and attached single-family homes, and managed the entitlement of more than 35,000 lots. In his free time, Darwin Horan enjoys a wide range of outdoor leisure activities, including fly fishing.

Flying fishing is a great outdoor activity, but beginners can find themselves in uncharted waters, so to speak, because they don’t have a lot of experience with what is, admittedly, a specialized sport. With that in mind, here are two common mistakes that beginners should try to avoid:

One of the toughest parts of fly fishing can be tying knots correctly. A poor knot can result in losing both flies and fish. Tying strong and reliable knots, however, can be challenging for a beginners. To keep things simple, one should only focus on learning how to tie a clinch knot (for the fly) and a surgeon’s knot (to attach the tippet) as these make up the majority of all the knots one will need to know as a fly fisherman.

Secondly, beginning fly fishers can sometimes get a bit overzealous with their casts, putting a little too much effort into them. Trying to maneuver the ball where one wants it to go through sheer force is often counterproductive. The fly rod and line will do the work for you. Do not be overly assertive with the false casts, but instead let the rod load the line naturally at the tip, while allowing enough time for the loop to build before unleashing the cast in smooth motion.

Darwin Horan owns Ventana Capital, Inc., located in Englewood, Colorado. Outside work, Darwin Horan donates to several charitable causes, including The Challenge Foundation, which has locations in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas.

The Challenge Foundation seeks to help students break free from the cycle of poverty by providing education opportunities. Throughout the year, the foundation offers students a range of enriching opportunities, including the summer program for middle school Challenge Scholars. The academic program allows students to expand their capabilities in the areas of math, writing, and critical thinking and to participate in activities like visits to local businesses and colleges, outdoor adventures, and athletics.

Challenge scholars are also required to perform community service in middle and high school. The students participate in service opportunities set up by their schools and in projects they arrange individually. Some service days coincide with the summer program offerings. High school students also have the opportunity to participate in service trips across the United States and abroad.