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Walter & Group...
[GH] Now, back to Task 13 - The distance cast.
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[GH] From Shaun Ash :
At this distance I think the cast should look and be easy we have been using 45 to 55 ft of line for most tasks we are not adding to much more I start by just making a good narrow loop out at the 55ft mark with hauling then and add a little on the front more on the back drift and let it go, mY preferred method is of the hip side slinging but am work on the over head I always practice at a target and finish with a check haul to make sure the leader is nice a straight..
Shaun
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[GH] I'm not certain just what you mean by the method of "hip slinging".
Basically, what is expected is a standard (conventional) straight line overhead cast with similar back cast and forward cast loops done with ease such that the fly reaches the minimum required distance of 85 feet.
The examiners will be looking for a reasonably good layout. This means to me that the leader should not land in a crumpled heap and the fly should end up ahead of the line and leader .... not doubled back.j This is true even if you go beyond the required distance.
I think Bill Gammel put it well as a lead examiner when he told the candidate something like this :
"I'd much rather see you make an 85 foot cast with good controlled loops done as you would want your students to see than a cast done poorly which happens to land at 100 feet."
Examiners will not insist upon a particular style. OK, for example, to cast with an elbow forward-vertical rod plane style, or a low-elbow-"on-the-shelf" off vertical (Lefty Kreh) style, or something in between.
Different casters will carry different amounts of line as they false cast to the final back cast prior to the delivery cast. Some can carry as much as 80' of line. Most casters will carry somewhere about 55' to 65'. This should be dictated by only one thing: The amount of line which can be carried outside the rod tip which allows you to have good loop control.
Of course, that will vary according to casting conditions including wind as well as the ability of the caster on that particular day.
A couple of simple tips :
# Its a good idea to watch your back casts.... particularly the last couple of false back casts. Some expert distance casters false cast with the length of line intended for the delivery cast because they are choosing their best back cast loop and "feel" prior to the final delivery cast.
When I coach this task as the candidate doesn't perform well .... almost makes the distance and the back cast loop is a bit too wide or sags, often all I have to do is say, "Next time, WATCH YOUR BACK CASTS " The next attempt is almost always much better and the distance usually achieved.
# A wise friend once said, "Standing on your line does nothing to improve the cast !" Many a candidate has been shaken by doing that on his first attempt.
One ploy I recommend is this: Bring a damp towel and place it against the zero marker, extended toward your target. Before casting, strip line out on this towel. Then step back to the casting position and make your cast. This assures that you won't step on your coiled line and that it won't catch a clump of grass or weed.
# It is OK to place a mark on your fly line at the base of the head. (As you know, it is NOT OK to place marks which would help with accuracy casting)
Use this mark to make certain that you have at least 95' of line stripped out in order not to fall short of the 85' marker simply because you didn't have sufficient line out there. More line than that only increases the possibility of a tangle.
# You mentioned the use of a check haul to assist leader turnover. That can work well. HOWEVER :
Even though not mentioned in the task description, I do know that some examiners have taken issue with it. Also, a tense candidate being examined might just pull that fly back if this isn't done with perfect timing.
# What if you are false casting on this task and suddenly realize that you have let a bit too much line out of the rod tip and you have that awful feeling that you are losing some control ?
In the past, I've advised allowing that back cast to drop behind you .... then "re-group" and go back to the task.
No provision for this appears in the task description. Some examiners have not counted that as one of the three allowed attempts and some have. Still, it may be better to abort that out of control situation behind you and try again.
Another choice, is to keep false casting as you bring in enough line to gain control; then complete the cast.
Gordy
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