Task 14 Discussion 2

Walter & Group...

[GH] I've attached a request from Denise Maxwell for an article to be written on SLP (Straight Line Path). Please let me know if you are interested in writing this for the LOOP.

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[GH] There is a lot more information in these messages than needed to pass Task 14.

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[GH] From Peter Minnick :

Gordy...the performance of the "salt water quick cast" is pretty straightforward. I do like to slide load my backcast to further load the rod and minimize the false casting.

The explanation of getting the cast off as quickly and accurately as possible without taking your eye off the fish is preceded by a correct setup and on going awareness of what your line is doing at all times.For example if it's windy part of the line may blow off the bow onto the water creating surface friction on the line and impeding the cast.

Under windy conditions you may opt to place 1 foot in the cockpit and use the cockpit as a "stripping basket". Going along with Dennis's mantra of "it depends", like the change of direction or differing wind conditions cast, explanations for this cast should include a number of variables. I question whether this cast be restricted to casting from a boat...wading the flats calls for additional techniques in getting the line airborne and the fly to the target quickly. This may include holding the line in the lips or coiled by the hand to minimize false casting....

Peter

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[GH] Peter,

As you know, my favorite method when the wind is strong is to "use the cockpit as a 'stripping basket' " as you point out.

One way I do that, is to place my line hand side foot, not down on the cockpit floor, but with my heel just over the edge of the foredeck. As I strip in line to get ready for my next presentation set-up, I strip the line in and down against my leg (My leg acts as a sort of line guide).Then I take my time to form the set-up with my running line already down there coiled up.

I'm glad you added another ploy to the modified set-up when wading .... holding a couple of loops in the lips is sometimes a good way to do it.

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[GH] Yesterday, I mentioned a line collecting device like a bucket into which you can strip your line. It holds the line like a stripping basket and keeps the wind from blowing it all over the place, lessening the chance of tangles. Many call it a "Line Tamer" . This is one of the brand names used by one of the makers. Lefty has tried to be more generic by calling it a VLMD ( Vertical Line Management Device ).

It works better than many other similar devices such as a bucket for several reasons, one of which is that the bottom is weighted and made from a non-slip material so it tends to stay put on the deck. The sides are perfectly straight and the diameter is just right to keep the line from tangling and to allow it to uncoil rapidly on the shoot.

Flats anglers either love it or can't stand to have it on their skiffs. Experts can get by just fine without it, but it sure helps if you are poling a neophyte angler around on the flats all day who has not developed mature skiff line handling skills.

Line handling on the saltwater flats has been a major problem for years. This has resulted in innovative methods for line control on flats skiffs. They include mesh "fences" about the edges of the casting decks, folding/expandable buckets, plastic garbage cans with water (and sometimes ice) in the bottom, etc. etc. (Years ago when most fly lines were too supple for us in the tropic heat, the ice water in the bottom of the garbage can kept the line coils cool and a bit stiffer.) Years ago Bob Hewes of Miami designed his famous "Bonefisher" with a slightly recessed deck so that a fly line wouldn't blow off it in strong winds. Interesting, that most modern flats skiffs did away with this feature and now are made with smooth decks with nothing to keep the fly line aboard.

I've added an attachment which shows a method I devised years ago; then copied by some of the Florida Keys Guides. This consists of a custom made removable net fitted to the push-pole platform extended to the deck just forward of the platform and outboard engine. Often, when fishing alone, I'll anchor from the bow at a stake out position and cast from the stern, collecting the line against the net in the howling wind. Works great ! (Another advantage is that my bow is into the wind so I get no "stern slap" which can keep flats fish from striking).

Lefty's description and photos tell this little story of the VLMD a lot better than I can, here. *

* CASTING WITH LEFTY KREH, by Lefty Kreh, 2008, pp. 371-372.

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[GH] Bob Stouffer brings up a very important point which I'm guilty of thus far omitting .... THE CLEAR CAST. I also like his term, "ready position" which I think might be more meaningful than "the set-up". Highlights in red are mine :

Dr. Gordy - forgot to say the Ready Position.

BTW. Saw Alan Caolo present flats wading line handling at the National Capital TU show last month. He made a clearing cast and then formed two long loops from behind the stripping guide. The first loop, the longest, was held by a finger of the casting hand on the rod grip and then allowed to trail on the right-hand side. He then made a second long loop, which was also held by the forefinger of the casting hand on the rod grip. This, along with fly in hand on a short line, was his ready position.

For short casts, he released only the first loop, false casting as it paid-out. For longer casts, he hauled the first loop, dropped the second, and hauled into the front cast using a relaxed form for a soft presentation. Looked good on concrete.

Bob Stouffer

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[GH] So, now, what is a "clearing cast" (sometimes called a "clear cast" ?

When fishing from a flats skiff (or wading the flat) many neophytes peel a lot more line off the reel than they are likely to need. That extra line beyond that actually needed for the presentation cast becomes an instrument of the Devil himself ! That is where most of the tangles occur. One of the reasons for this is that this extra line often sits on the deck or cockpit floor in baking in the hot tropical sun. As the hours progress, the coils seem to "marry" one-another providing the perfect formula for a nasty tangle when a fish takes and takes off across the flat at high speed. The tangle catches in the first stripper guide and the tippet breaks.

To prevent this, an important maneuver which I consider part of the set-up, is to peel off line from the reel, them make the longest cast you think you will need (NOT the longest cast you can make, by a long shot). Before retrieving line to complete your quick cast (speed cast) set-up, reel up all that extra line from your deck. That cast is called a clearing cast (clear cast ). It may be the most important thing you can do.

Years ago, Lefty Kreh taught me that when you make repeated casts without shooting out all that line on the deck, you are a lot more likely to get twists in your line. I've purposely tried that ... and find that he was correct. The only thing guaranteed to make line twists more efficiently, is the bottom of a sneaker moved as you step on the line.*

Lastly, a tongue in cheek piece of advice as to the very best way of stretching out your fly line when on the deck of a skiff : Hook a bit fish !

Gordy

* PRESENTING THE FLY, by Lefty Kreh, 1999, ISBN 1-55821-788-6, p. 54.

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