Walter & Group....
Sebastian Banas and Deb Bowen have joined our Study Group. This brings our membership to 225.
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While I'm preparing a quiz to be used as a springboard for discussion on fly line design and function, I have a request for information on casting for the MCCI exam from Peter Morse of Australia :-
G'day Gordy, I am very keen to hear your perspective on the conclave
this year. Any thing future MCCI candidates should be aware of. There
seems to be some discussion on curves, how they're thrown and the
resulting curve shape - "C", "L", "J", and "U" left and right. What is
acceptable as a curve shape - if for example a curve is thrown and
then enhanced with a mend is that acceptable if the candidate
explained what he was doing and why? ............ Any changes to
allowable styles?
thanks, Peter
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Peter,
On the first day of the Conclave, the CBOG participated in a several hour presentation led by Joe Libeu and Dusty Sprague of the MCCI Testing Committee. This committee has been working on clarification of the EXPECTATIONS for many of the required tasks. The whole idea being to make sure that the examiners are all on the same page as they give these exams. It is felt that with more standardization it will make the performance exams as clear and fair as possible.
As demonstrations were performed, we all participated with our opinions .... and some of us did so, rod in hand.
The question in my mind was this: How do we get this information out to the candidates ?
This has been answered with the conclusion that a video presentation of the tasks would be done and descriptions of the requirements and expectations which would be available (hopefuly) before next year and in any event prior to any new changes in the exam.
Now for your question on the curve casts:
As I understand it, two different methods of making curve casts will be required. One can be an underpowered curve cast (sometimes called a "negative curve cast") and the other a powered ( or "overpowered") (sometimes called a "positive:)curve cast.
The curve must have a layout which would leave no doubt in the minds of either examiner or student that it is a true curve and not a mend . The exact shape of the curve was not discussed as I recall, leaving it acceptable to have a "C", "J"or "L" shape. A "U" shape probably won't be accepted if the line beyond the "U" lays out straight or in a different direction, since that would require a mend movement made after the cast. (Frankly, I can't make a 90 degree hook cast without adding a mend move immediately after the cast.)
Even if a perfect curve layout is achieved, if it is made with repositioning of the fly line after the cast as a deliberate one made by the caster, it will not be accepted.
To be more clear:
One may elect to form a curve by making a side arm overpowered cast with rod in the horizontal plane. The rod is stopped early so the tip flips to one side, then counterflex brings it back in the opposite direction with no assistance of the caster. THIS IS OK.
Now, if the candidate were to make the same cast but then make a move in the direction of counterflex after the cast is complete, this would be considered a mend and WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Some will say that this flies in the face of real World fishing casts. The idea, however, is to see if the candidate has enough control to be able to make the curve without resorting to an additional mend.
To use your words: If the curve is thrown and then "enhanced with a mend" it will not be accepted.
As long as no mend move is made, different styles and methods of making these casts will be accepted. For example, the underpowered curve can be made with a vertical or horizontal casting plane. A powered curve may be made the way I described it, above, or with a rapid wrist twist made with the rod in a more vertical plane.
To your query on explanation: If I were taking this exam, I'd do the curve cast with no suggestion of a mend move at all. If asked how I would do it to make a larger curve or when fishing, I'd then explain and demonstrate the curve enhanced by a mend. (I happen to call that a cast-mend.)
Always remember that on a Masters exam, you may be asked to explain and demonstrate how you would teach any of the tasks to a student.
Joe Libeu and/or Dusty may well help us by making this even more clear or correcting any misunderstanding I may have on this subject, since they have been working hard on all this for many months.
Gordy
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Jerry Puckett and several others have asked that this question be put to the Group :
What are the various casting techniques which work well
when casting a heavily weighted fly ?
Gordy
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As Masters and stewards of our sport, the more we know about the history and development of fly fishing over the years, the better we will be an advancing its future as we teach and come up with new ideas. G.
Carl Zarelli (FFF Board of Directors) puts these historical questions to you :