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QUESTIONS:
1.) Give us your description of
DRIFT. On completion of the casting stroke,
an intended re-positioning of the rod in the direction of the unrolling loop.
Yes. Note that I asked for "your
description" .... NOT a formal definition. Different groups of
instructors will have different definitions. One oft used is :
DRIFT: MOVEMENT OF THE FLY ROD WHICH INCREASES AVAILABLE STROKE LENGTH
AND CASTING ARC. Some look at it differently when describing
elliptical casts such as Spey casts.
G.
2.) What (if anything) can it
accomplish ? Provides space for more stroke length and
subsequent tip travel if needed for the upcoming
cast.
-Can help to set up the trajectory for the
following cast.
-Can provide pre-load of the rod throught the
momentum of the unrolling loop bending the rod.
-Useful instruction technique for
deterring "creep"
Agree.
G.
3.) When, during the casting
stroke, is the rod tip moving at its fastest rate ?
At the rod straight position.
Yes.... or perhaps a nanosecond prior to
RSP. G.
4.) At what point do you think loop
formation begins ? According to Bruce and the
analyzer it's at .1 second after RSP. For all intents and
purposes I would tell a student that the loop begins to form when
the rod tip has stopped accelerating and the following fly line begins to
overtake it.
That is probably correct, though even the
fastest video I've studied (500 fps.) didn't prove for sure that it wasn't AT
RSP. Might be a tiny bit prior or after. When we study this with
super fast video of above 1000 fps we'll come closer to really
knowing.
I belive Bruce actually found that the rod
tip was moving fastest between the caster's rapid deceleration (stop) and RSP
and that that time interval was about 0.1
second. G.
5.) What is your idea of the
meaning of the term, CREEP ? A slow unintentional
movement of the rod in the opposite direction of the unrolling
loop
OK. Again, I didn't ask for a formal
definition, because I know there is not consensus on one. One working
definition is: CREEP: MOVEMENT OF THE ROD WHICH DECREASES
AVAILABLE STROKE LENGTH AND CASTING ARC.
For those who place CREEP within the
CASTING STROKE, and in view of the discovery that CREEP is almost always
rotational, a working definition would be: CREEP: MOVEMENT OF THE ROD
WHICH DECREASES AVAILABLE CASTING
ARC. G.
6.) Do you think CREEP is always a
fault ? Yes
Statement of opinion ... so no right or
wrong answer here. Most instructors would agree with you. Some
exceptions :
1. The caster purposely makes an out of
plane tail to flip a fly beneath overhanging brush (So called, Maloney
Cast.)
2. The caster uses a CREEP move the
purposely shorten his stroke and casting arc as he false casts and realizes
that he has more line out of his rod tip than needed as he suddenly feels the
need for a shorter cast. Of course this is not a good "fix" as he'll
have to make a lot of other changes at the same time to avoid a
tail. CONTROVERSIAL AT BEST.
G.
7.) What happens when a caster
creeps ? Usually a tailing loop. An
explanation would include that creep shortens the available casting stroke
resulting in a improper application of power resulting in a concave tip path
and subsequent tailing loop.
Yes. G.
8.) You have taken a high speed video of
you friend's forward cast. You picked out one frame which showed the
point of maximum load. How did you pick out that particular frame
? Don't have a high speed video camera, but I
would compare each frame to the other to find the frame that showed the
greatest rod bend in the whole sequence.
Agree.
G.
9.) When (if ever) would you purposely
cast with different timing of the forward cast from that of the back
cast. In a tail wind or head wind situation.
-After shooting line into a back cast
-When demonstrating timing as a casting
faul
Agree.
G.
10.) You just made a forward cast ....
but you didn't stop. Rather, you simply slowed your
rod.
a.
Will your rod unload anyway ? If it was bent during
the cast, then it has to unbend eventually. I would say Yes.
Agree.
G.
b. Was
it possible to form a loop ? Could it be described
as "non loop"?
You can form a loop. It won't be a
tight/small one because the rapid deceleration we call the stop has as one of
its valuable functions the ability to control the position of the rod tip
as the fly line overtakes it as the loop forms at or near
RSP. If the caster slows the rod over a greater time
interval, an open "non-loop" may result.
G.
11.) What is meant by the term
COUNTERFLEX ? The direction the rod bends after
RSP
Yes.
G.
12.) Is it the same thing as REBOUND
? No, Rebound is the direction the rod bends after
counterflex.
Agree.
G.
13.) You just made a high trajectory back
cast. Using exactly the same rod plane, you made a forward cast with
trajectory parallel to the water. What happened to the loop ?
It probably formed a tailing loop, because the
casts were made in different line planes.
Casting in different
line planes (trajectories) won't result in a tailing loop UNLESS THERE IS LESS
THAN 180 DEGREES BETWEEN THE TRAJECTORIES OF THE BACK CAST AND THE FORWARD
CAST. G.
14.) Your casting stroke and casting arc
are too short for the amount of line carried out of the rod tip.
Describe the resulting loop. A tailing loop
probably formed. Because the stroke length did not match the line
length, proper power application could not be maintained resulting in a
concave tip path.
Agree. One prime way to form a
tail. The stroke length and casting arc must match the bend of the
rod and the amount of line carried for efficient casting and the avoidance of
a tail. G.
15.) You purposely made a forward cast
with increased casting arc and resulting convex path of the rod tip at the
beginning of your stroke, then accomplished an almost straight line path of
the rod tip until the conclusion of your stroke as you unloaded the rod with
the rod tip a short distance from the oncoming line.
a.
What happens to your loop ?The fly leg would be
high and the rod leg would be straight. Agree G.
b. When (if ever) would you do that ? Might be
useful for a "wind assist" cast. Also
for demonstrating controlled loop shapes. Yes. G.
16.) At another time and under different
conditions, you made a cast with an almost straight line path of the rod tip
until the end of your stroke at which point you applied enough convexity of
your rod tip path to unload the rod with the tip well below the oncoming
line.
a. What loop resulted ? Straight fly
leg and rod leg lower and with a more open loop. Agree. G.
b. When, (if ever) would you do that ?
When casting controlled loops with heavy weighted flies, sink tips,
etc.
Yes.
G.
17.) What is likely to happen if
you apply a spike of power to your haul very early in the stroke ? A tailing loop will
form. Agree.
G.
18.) Why ? The
rod tip is forced to travel below a straight line path causing the
tailing loop.
That spike of haul power will result in
increased acceleration which cannot be maintained throughout the stroke.
The rod tip dips down as rod load increases, then rises as the load decreases
..... a concave rod tip path.
G.
19.) Your new casting student asks your
advice on what rod to purchase for his lessons. He's been told about
fast action, medium action, and slow action rods. What do you advise him
? His best bet would be a medium action rod.
Agree.
G.
20.) Give your reason (s) for this
decision. A fast action rod may require more
precise casting stroke movements than a beginner can handle. Rod load may
not be experienced by an inexperienced caster and lead to more open
loops.
Yes. Also, with a very fast action
rod everything happens so fast it is hard for the student to grasp what is
going on. G.
A slow action rod casts best with a slow
smooth power application that may not be the best choice for a beginner.
It is more prone to over load and cause tailing
loops.
Yes.
G.
BEST OF THE SEASON TO ALL FELLOW MCI CANDIDATES
Doug
Swift
Well done, Doug
!
Gordy
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From Jerry Puckett. A few comments in his
text in italics G.
:
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QUESTIONS:
1.) Give us your description of
DRIFT.
Same as follow through on the forward stroke--extension of the rod after
the stop.
Many would agree with you. I favor
this concept:
I look at DRIFT , when straight line
overhead casting, as movement of the fly rod which increases available stroke
length and casting arc (for the next cast). So ... when false casting, I
see DRIFT as used (if elected) after the back cast and after the forward
cast.
except:
When done after the delivery cast.....
since there is no next cast. On the delivery cast, I call it
FOLLOWTHROUGH. G.
2.) What (if anything) can it
accomplish ?
lengthen the stroke for the next cast, also
helps prevent creep
Agree. I'm glad you said
"helps prevent..." In a way, DRIFT can be seen as the antithesis
of CREEP. Many instructures use it as the "cure" for unwanted
creep.
All this despite the fact that one can
make a back drift and then creep. Unusual, but
possible. G.
3.) When, during the casting
stroke, is the rod tip moving at its fastest rate ?
Rod Straight
Position Yes... or so close that we cannot
be certain within a frog hair or so
G.
4.) At what point do you think
loop formation begins ?
When the line passes the rod
tip. Yes. When it
starts to pass the rod tip. G.
5.) What is your idea of the
meaning of the term, CREEP ?
Starting the casting stroke before the
line has completely unfurled
Well.... I'd see that as premature
application of power. I look at CREEP as minimally accelerated
(zero to slow) movement of the fly rod, usually unintended, in the direction
opposite that of an unrolling loop (or newly unrolled loop) which diminishes
available stroke length and casting arc for the following
cast. G.
6.) Do you think CREEP is always
a fault ?
Yes, always shortens the available casting
stroke
Valid opinion. (Some feel that
there might be a time when it could be used to purposely shorten the casting
stroke and casting arc. )
CREEP can occur on either on
the forward cast or the back cast. When it occurs at the start of the
back cast, I like to call it "reverse creep"
G.
7.) What happens when a caster
creeps ?
Most likely a tailing
loop Usually so ... because the caster senses the lack of ability
to likely make the distance and uses inappropriate application of power
leading to a concave rod tip path and a tail.
G.
8.) You have taken a high speed video
of you friend's forward cast. You picked out one frame which showed the
point of maximum load. How did you pick out that particular frame
?
Where the rod has its deepest
bend. Agree. G.
9.) When (if ever) would you purposely
cast with different timing of the forward cast from that of the back
cast.
When casting into a wind--headwind or
tailwind. Yes. G.
10.) You just made a forward cast ....
but you didn't stop. Rather, you simply slowed your
rod.
a.
Will your rod unload anyway ?
Yes
b. Was
it possible to form a loop ?
yes
Agree.
G.
11.) What is meant by the term COUNTER
FLEX ?
Movement
of the rod in the same direction after the stop.
More accurately, AFTER
RSP. G.
12.) Is it the same thing as REBOUND
?
No,
rebound is in the opposite direction of counter flex.
Yes. G.
13.) You just made a high trajectory
back cast. Using exactly the same rod plane, you made a forward cast
with trajectory parallel to the water. What happened to the loop
?
Not sure I understand this one--but I think a
tailing loop is possible.
Correct. Any time the caster
makes a back cast and then a forward cast with less than 180 degrees of
trajectory (line plane) between them AND THE ROD PLANE IS NOT CHANGED, a
tailing loop is possible. One might look at it this way :
There is a concavity between strokes.
G.
14.) Your casting stroke and casting
arc are too short for the amount of line carried out of the rod tip.
Describe the resulting loop.
Tailing loop Yes. G.
15.) You purposely made a forward cast
with increased casting arc and resulting convex path of the rod tip at the
beginning of your stroke, then accomplished an almost straight line path of
the rod tip until the conclusion of your stroke as you unloaded the rod with
the rod tip a short distance from the oncoming line.
a.
What happens to your loop ?
A wide loop narrowing to a tighter loop
Check Doug's answer. He was
right. This yields a wide loop with the fly leg way up and the rod
leg fairly straight. Can be used to "kite" a fly when casting with wind
from behind. G.
b. When (if ever) would you do that ?
Tail wind for kiting purposes Yes. G.
16.) At another time and under
different conditions,
you made a cast with an almost straight line path of the rod tip until the end
of your stroke at which point you applied enough convexity of your rod tip
path to unload the rod with the tip well below the oncoming
line.
a. What loop resulted ?
An open loop
If done to extreme, that might
happen. When performed moderately, it can yield a well controlled large
enough loop for use with weighted flies.
G.
b. When, (if ever) would you do that ?
Casting
heavy flies Yes. G.
17.) What is likely to happen if you
apply a spike of power to your haul very early in the stroke
?
Tailing loop Yes. G.
18.) Why ?
Creates a concave path of the rod tip.
Yes.
G.
19.) Your new casting student asks your
advice on what rod to purchase for his lessons. He's been told about
fast action, medium action, and slow action rods. What do you advise him
?
Medium action rod Agree. G.
20.) Give your reason (s) for this
decision.
Able to feel the rod load with less
effort compared to a stiff rod (less likely for injury). A slower rod
makes timing more difficult.
True. Check out my comments
to Doug's answer. G.
Gordy
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One more set of answers from Maryann Townsend
:
I?ll
give it a stab. . .
QUESTIONS:
1.) Give us
your description of DRIFT. After the stop the rod
hand continues or stretches or drifts a little further
back.
2.) What
(if anything) can it accomplish ?
A longer casting
stroke
3.) When,
during the casting stroke, is the rod tip moving at its fastest rate ?
Between the stop of
the casters hand and when the rod straightens out.
4.) At
what point do you think loop formation begins ?
When the rod
straightens or unloads.
5.) What
is your idea of the meaning of the term, CREEP ?
It is better to be a
drifter rather than a creeper. Someone once told me that.
The students rod hand is creeping forward after the stop ? prior to the
cast.
6.) Do
you think CREEP is always a fault ?
Yes
7.) What
happens when a caster creeps ?
Creep is a bad thing ?
it us usually done when the caster tries to prep for the continuation of the
cast after the stop. Rather than keeping the hand still
after the stop or drifting after the stop to extend the cast the caster will
allow the casing hand to creep forward then make the cast ? resulting in a
shorter less efficient stroke and more than likely a tailing
loop.
8.)
You have taken a high speed video of you friend's forward cast. You
picked out one frame which showed the point of maximum load. How did you
pick out that particular frame ? The rod is at its deepest bend.
9.) When (if
ever) would you purposely cast with different timing of the forward cast from
that of the back cast. Changing directions
and Wind may play a role here.
10.) You just
made a forward cast .... but you didn't stop. Rather, you simply slowed
your rod.
a. Will your rod unload anyway ?
yes to some extent -
but not with much efficiency
b. Was
it possible to form a loop ? yes it is possible?
but a very wide loop
11.) What is
meant by the term COUNTERFLEX ?
It is the immediate
bend of the rod just after the rod comes to the straight
position
12.) Is it the
same thing as REBOUND ? No. The rebound occurs
just after the counterflex.
13.) You just
made a high trajectory back cast. Using exactly the same rod plane, you
made a forward cast with trajectory parallel to the water. What happened
to the loop ? Hmm ? If I understand
the question . . . this is the cast \
_ the caster has changed the 180` trajectory
and will most likely result in a concave path of the rod tip and tailing
loop.
14.) Your
casting stroke and casting arc are too short for the amount of line carried
out of the rod tip. Describe the resulting loop.
This will cause a
concave path of the rod tip forming a tailing loop. There is too much bend or
load in the rod in a cast that is too small. The 180`
casting concept should be further explained to the
student.
15.) * You purposely made a forward cast with
increased casting arc and resulting convex path of the rod tip at the
beginning of your stroke, then accomplished an almost straight line path of
the rod tip until the conclusion of your stroke as you unloaded the rod with
the rod tip a short distance from the oncoming line.
a. What happens to your loop ?
First loop, backcast,
is large almost a non-loop ? forward cast must try to compensate for the
wide/non-loop and try to pull the line thru to the
target.
b. When (if ever) would you do that ?
Casting big bass bugs
? picking up slack on the water/ground
16.) * At another time and under different conditions,
you made a cast with an almost straight line path of the rod tip until the end
of your stroke at which point you applied enough convexity of your rod tip
path to unload the rod with the tip well below the oncoming
line.
a. What loop resulted ?
Wider loop at the end
of the backcast
b. When, (if ever) would you do that ?
Windy conditions to
help straighten the line
17.) What is
likely to happen if you apply a spike of power to your haul very early in the
stroke ? Concave path of the
rod tip ? tailing loop.
18.) Why
? A ?spike? of power
will cause the rod tip to dip below the straight line path of the rod
tip. (I know ? I used to do
thisJ)
19.) Your new
casting student asks your advice on what rod to purchase for his
lessons. He's been told about fast action, medium action, and slow
action rods. What do you advise him ?
I would advise a
medium action rod.
20.) Give your
reason (s) for this decision.
A
fast rod is just that ? ?FAST? everything happens fast ? it is sometimes very
difficult for the student to feel or even for that matter to see what is
happening during the cast. Timing is everything if they
can?t get a feel for the timing ? it is time to switch rods ? at least for a
short time ? I always make sure I have a couple extra rods of various size and
speed in my truck for emergencies or for just this
reason.
A
slow rod I find can also be difficult for a new caster ? can you feel the rod
load/bend ?YES? but it is just the opposite of the Fast rod ? timing can be
very difficult to master for the beginning caster.
Maryann
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Maryann.... Good score. Check
out * answers and comments to questions 15.) and
16.). Gordy
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