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Walter & Group...
[GH] From Gary Eaton :
Gordy,
I would like to recommend another DVD, Spey to Z with Way Yin, Greg Pearson and Topher Brown (Three Amigos Productions). 3M/ Scientific Anglers produced this in 2006. I consider bridge material for people who use two-handed rods less frequently. I also took a Spey for single hand rods from Casting Board Governor, Chris King soon after my CCI. It helped a lot. -- Gary
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[GH] From Mark Roberts :
Hi Gordy
for me one of the main understandings I want to hear from a candidate is their understanding of the three basic principles to spey casting i.e.
1. D or V loop formation
2. Line stick or anchor
3. 180 degree rule
Without understanding these three elements then I would consider it difficult for them to teach someone else how to spey cast efficiently.
It comes down to rod tip control and style is not relevant but the substance is because whether true traditional or modern spey these principles apply.
best wishes
Mark
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[GH] Mark,
I agree completely !
I assumed that this would be covered in the wording under Expectations.
Some have asked whether the candidate should be responsible for knowing and demonstrating the circumstances including wind and bank location the use of Spey casts made over the non dominant shoulder.
While that is not specified as a requirement, I think it joins the other basic principles.
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[GH] From Bill Keister :
Gordy,
You used the phrase 'flick lift' in you Task 9 Discussion 1. I am confused about what is meant by flick lift. This past January David Diaz and I watched Michael Mauri put on his demonstration at the Marlboro Fly Show in Massachusetts. We noticed a little flick he did as he started the lift on many of his casts. The first movement of his lift was a very sharp vertical movement of his rod tip in a vertical plane. He then immediately went into a standard lift. His flick caused about half of the line nearest the rod to jump off the water. I do so because the fly end of the fly line remained anchored so most of the energy input created lateral movement of the line. Clearly this movement will not work well on grass because of the lack of an anchor. I think of this as a 'flick lift'.
In a video tape produce at the Sandy River Spey Clave Andy Murray leads off with the roll cast. He starts with a static line roll cast. Then he talks about 'ballooning' the back cast on an accelerated roll cast. Simon Gawesworth then follows with the switch cast. Both of these presentations left me with the feeling that there is a progression from the static roll cast to a dynamic switch cast which is one of degree not of kind at so far as it pertains to formation of the D-Loop.
With respect to Task 7, if the flick lift is meant to convey the 'ballooning' of the D-Loop it does not work for me. Dynamic, thrown D or V loop does convey meaning to me flick lift does not. Another point when discussing the roll cast both Simon and Andy do not use the word lift. They both talk about 'dragging' the line back to form a static D-Loop. And they do use the term D-Loop in conjunction with the static roll cast by the way (another earlier discussion). Finally as someone who does test MCI candidates a couple of times a year I question the need to to do anything more on task 7 then add a haul and 5 feet of distance to Task 6. Particularly if a switch cast is added to the test. Most of the tests I have participated in have been done on ice and or snow where a dynamic back cast has been allowed anyway.
Bill Keister
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[GH] Since Paul Arden may well have authored the term "flick lift", we'll be interested in seeing his description along with the video he intends to make and share soon.
Seem it means different things to different casters.
Going back to Task 7 : I think the Committee really wanted this to be a switch cast. Rather than adding the switch cast for the future, I suspect they will replace this task with one which bears an accurate switch cast description.
Further discussion on the switch cast applies to task 9 as well since all of the basic elements of a single Spey are present except for change of direction.
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[GH] From Jim Valle :
Gordy and Group,
Task 9. Demonstrate the single Spey cast, explaining when and where to use this cast. Cast to a minimum distance of 40 feet. Use a single-handed rod. Allowances will be made if casting on grass. No hauling allowed.
Expectations : The cast must be executed in a smooth manner, demonstrating a proper lift, position of the anchor and formation and alignment of the D or V loop in line with the target. The candidate must be able to explain the conditions that would determine when and where this cast would b used including wind direction and bank position. No tailing loop on the forward cast.
This is a good subject to discuss a few Teaching tips which will automatically translate into testing points.
First read the question and expectations carefully… examiners have to! Every examiner will have just read this at this point, so what do you think they will be looking for? The requirements to pass this task are spelled out very clearly. Don’t make this more than it is.
First, figure out where the wind is coming from and orient yourself to have the D loop on the Downwind side!
Second, and most important from a teaching point of view which I continually stress with my student instructors, (and this is even more important with spey casts) step into the imaginary river and describe it to your students (or examiner), Set the Stage, Describe the Current etc. , get your line on the dangle. And start there … “ ok, my line is on the dangle … downstream to my left and we are on what is called the Left bank” and every time you re start one of these speys start from the same dangle, in other words stay in the same river so you don’t blow your students mind! You will lose them if you start flipping the line around , changing banks etc. (Recognize also if you were to walk out in the imaginary river and turn around you just changed bank) . .
Third , Explain where you intend to cast and why… all part of the story you are bringing your students into. Focus on bring them along on the journey of the cast. Describe your target, where you are going to anchor, where your D Loop is going to be … before you make the cast.
Fourth, Make the cast. Apply power slow and late on grass regardless of leader type.
Fifth, Reset to the original dangle!, Now you are properly set up to explain the downstream wind issue on the single spey.
Couple of important form points….
- Again make sure you are set up for the wind direction.
- Do all of this super slow slow!
- Point your feet toward the target… before you start… You will then pre-twist your hips a bit to the dangle.
- You can not and should not drag to the anchor location….this is about an efficient cast.
- When making the single … Make the lift and at least mentally freeze your arm.. ( thanks to Chris Sepio and Rick Whorwood from Canada for the freeze, really works!). then let your hips rotate back to the natural position then make the remaining switch cast portion, which is already a muscle memorized move. ( twisting the hips will prevent you from throwing your anchor too far up stream, which will happen if you use your arms to rotate… there is no doubt this is a discipline to master because of the tendency to cast single hand …. So I would also suggest you put your line hand on the butt of the rod to slow yourself down.
Note: Technically speaking the freeze is not proper because you would lose all the preload from the lift, however mentally this works to prevent you from carrying through with your arms… and focus on your hips…. in reality you will blend the entire lift and turn… just another way of getting to what Ally Gowans says… "the single spey is a 'Body Cast' ".
A smooth transition from the lift into the twist will produce enough energy to jump to the anchor without throwing your line up stream.
I would note that 45 degrees is certainly easier to do however it is also a bit tougher to effectively demonstrate the hip twist and can happen too quick with a small change of direction and therefore can be less obvious to a student (or an examiner). If it is less obvious you may have to repeat it… or be asked "can you make that more obvious?"……rather than trying to find shortcuts for the exam tasks I would recommend learning the casts. No one expects you to be a THCI here, but these are fantastic and useful casts to know.
Hope that helps,
Thanks
Jim
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