I started fly fishing a couple weeks back and can only seem to get about 20 feet of distance. Every time I get ready to let my fly go, it always seems to stop and fall mid flight. I am practicing the false cast btw.
I have been using those practise fly's if that helps. - Question via eMail

It can be quite challenging to get it right but once you do, it will feel like second nature. The biggest problem that i see with people (including myself when first starting) is casting at the wrong time. You want to take your rod from about a 9 o clock position to a 12 o clock position, throw your fly out from the 12 o clock position. Many people seem to think they will cast further if they take their rod as far back as they can then flinging it. This will only give you terrible casts like you mentioned because you’re allowing the too much slack to get in your line let alone probably hitting the ground and getting hung up on stuff.

Fly Fishing Tips and Advice Videos

Video 1: Scott Linden shows you how to cast the required distance, even if there are objects behind you.

Video 2: This is a 3 part series on the basics of fly casting. Tim Landwehr of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. will help you better your casting. The rest of the parts can be found on YouTube or the "related videos" section at the end of the video.

Hopefully these videos will provide you with everything you need to know about getting good distance when fly fishing.