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Walter & Group...
[GH] From Dennis Grant on progress with his casting student :
Hi All
This student was a very typical 'self taught' 2 year caster. He loved to fly fish but when on the river with his friends he knew he wasn’t 'keeping up' . So we quickly realized that he wasn't learning much by watching others.
A few minutes of chat can give you a lot of valuable information that will help you, help the student. What other sports do you participate in ? If you don’t mind me asking, what is your occupation ? Have you fished often, do you prefer rivers or lakes ? It doesn't take long. Realize we only have 2 hours.
There has been some great suggestions and I'm sure some would be more effective than mine.
What did we do ?
1. With about 25 feet of line out of the rod tip. We got the student to start low and stop straight up with the rod pointing to the clouds ? (he thinks it is straight up) I involve the line hand immediately. No line hand movement, just holding the line. If he needs to remove the slack then, line on the rod hand finger and retrieve. We tried this a couple of casts, immediate improvement ! Not good wrist control yet, open loops. When preparing to make a back cast he raised the rod tip, I would gently push the rod back down until the tip touched the water. I said nothing ! No need too. (15 minutes)
2. When he was at about 50% (line organization) we moved off the water onto grass. With the rod at waist height and pointing straight out, cast back and forth a rope laying on the ground. You all know what I mean. Watch out for a student who keeps the reel down during this exercise. The reel needs to be flat and the thumb needs to be opposite the reel or the student is training the wrong muscles !! But here is the twist. The rope alone is not as affective as having 2 markers (moveable markers are important) along the rope where YOU want the rod to stop. AND the instructor should stand FACING the student beginning 5 to 7 feet beyond the rod tip. As the student tightens the loop YOU move in a foot closer. (Don’t try this exercise with shorts on). You can demo and explain before you start this exercise. . Start with the wrist then add arm and wrist. No need to explain 'stroke' yet but the student is learning just that. (30 minutes)
3. Back to the water, review, demo and explain. Then we cast together (with permission) my hand over his. 5 minutes max and we hit all the learning senses ! (15 minutes total)
4. Sit back and watch the results. I like to give a number as feed back when I watch the student after the instruction. If a 10 is perfect; (he casts) my reply "that was a 5, why was it a 5 ?" Make him think and do a mental review AND tell you what he thinks went wrong. Correct any incorrect responses. (he casts again) "That one was a 7" (nice job), "that one was a 4, why was it a 4" you get the picture. (20 minutes)
5. 90 minutes and the student is looking good, averaging 6+ on the casts.
BUT there is one major flaw that is holding him back and we need to address it NOW !
Lets have another look.
Dennis
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