Teaching tricks, aids/props - Conditioning

Walter & Group....

From Bill Toone:

Gordy, instead of just relying on such mental imagines as apple on a stick or paint on a paint brush for beginners to better internalize smooth application of power and a good stop, I actually use paint brushes and water during my beginner lessons.  I picked up some cheap .57 cent paint brushes and bring along a jug of water with small bowls for the students to use at the appropriate time during our lesson.  This seems to help them get a better understanding by not just the mental imagine but the physical portion as well.  As a side benefit, the younger students seem to get a kick out of flinging water on me during the exercise which adds to their interest and involvement.

 

Regards,

Bill Toone

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Bill...   I can see the kids getting a kick out of that.  (You wouldn't want to do that where you live in January, however.) 

The best paint brushes to demo. SLP, etc. are the long haired ones used for varnishing. They hold a lot more water.  Too darned expensive for a class, however.  

I remember, years ago, when Macaulay Lord demonstrated RSP vs. Convex rod tip path by taking a glass of water and rapidly moving it toward a target, then a sudden STOP.  A straight line path resulted in the water hitting the target. The convex path splashed it all over the place and didn't get much if any on the target.  G.

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I had included the message below from Jerry Puckett in our last email....   but it didn't go through to some of you .... G.

 

Sir Gordy,

 

Bill Gammel's video have been mentioned for their contrast and visibility, very well done

indeed!  I think Mel Videos and DVD's are also top of the line for contrast and visibilty.

 

May I mention two tapes, if one can get hold of them, that have superior contrast and scenery for teaching casting:  "Fly Casting Featuring Tom White" and "Successful Fly Fishing Techniques With Tom White."  

 

In my opinion these are two of the best all time tapes for enjoyable learning with superior background and contrast for easy viewing.

 

I bought these types from Tom while in Florida with his personal autographs--these tapes are more precious than gold to me--the man lives on and I swear he is talking to me in those tapes!

 

I would encourage all the greats to Video and DVD for learning purposes--Bruce, You, Al, Jason, Gary, Guy, Mac to name a few, not for an ego trip but for the gift that keeps on giving and living!  Thanks Mel and Tom!

 

Let me end with Tom's autographed words--"Tight Loops and Good Fishing!"

 

Jerry Puckett CCI

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From Gary Eaton:

 

Gordy,

 

I have contributed before on the  train vs condition issue.

Recap - train is with rod in hand; condition is improving physical ability with other than rod in hand.

 

MY favorite conditioning drill is to sit with wrists on knees and roll up and down a 2 to 5 pound weight on a rope attached to a 1.25 inch closet dowel covered in foam tennis racket handle wrap. Do this with palms up, then palms down, then left up and right down then right up and left down. It is very important to do this as SLOWLY  as you can both up and down. Don't let your wrist leave your knees.

 

Gary Eaton, MCCI
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Agree.  These are great isotonic exercises.  The "props" are the rope and covered closet dowel.

 

I believe it was Chris Sepio of BC, Canada who conditioned with bungee-cord for resistance as he worked the muscles of his line hand arm for crisp rapid hauls.  Rick Whorwood knows more about that than I.

 

"Casting" with the heavy rod helps condition the muscles used for a good STOP.  There are probably some other exercises for that, too.

 

Gordy

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