Task 9 Discussion 1

Walter & Group...

[GH] An earlier message from Gary Eaton to Lewis Hinks and me on anchor placement has been saved and placed in an attachment.

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[GH] From Mike Heritage :

Hi Gordy,

I have had several lessons in spey casting in recent months and the only thing I can say is that every single person I spent time with spey cast differently, and place emphasis on different parts of the stroke. All very confusing for someone who rarely has to use them.

Can I take it that we a have to cast traditional spey casts rather than 'modern' speys?

I had a feeling the flick lift was as described by Paul and I tried it in grass. It didn't work for me though. It's great on water if you want to lift a lot of line off the water quickly and quietly.

Mike

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[GH] Mike,

Many of us have had the same experience. Some Spey instructors probably did a fine job... but I had trouble getting onto their "wave length". Same when I started reading and comparing authors years ago including the works of Hugh Falkus, Mike Maxwell and "Jock Scott".

Lefty Kreh once told me of an experience he had teaching along with other experts. Each had a different outlook on the casts, leaving the students confused. One student asked about that. Lefty's answer : "Listen to the one who makes most sense to you".

Then I had the luxury of working with two instructors who seemed to be on the "same planet". One of them was Dennis Grant. The other was Ally Gowans. Ally taught from a standpoint of ergonomics..."Make it easy". Dennis literally mentored me for several days as we Spey fished the Margaree in Northern Nova Scotia with wind conditions constantly changing. Suddenly, something clicked and I had an epiphany. Basic understanding I'd not had before. a "feel" I'd never previously experienced.

Only then did I begin to understand many of the things others had tried to teach me.

Spending time with Rick Whorwood sharpened my appreciation for basic concepts. Working with Jim Valle in New Jersey and witnessing his THCI exam helped, too.

In recent years, studying modern texts by Al Buhr and Simon Gawesworth with their wonderful pictures and explanations has helped and given me reference material. * **

Video's have helped, too, including one on DVD by Ally Gowans. ***

Other DVD's and tapes by Simon Gawesworth **** and Scott Mackenzie have helped place things in perspective ***** Same with Mel Krieger's tape on basic Spey Casting. ******

And yet..... I'll never be an expert Spey caster for the simple reason I don't spend sufficient hours doing it.

As an admitted non-expert, however, I'll try to answer your two questions :

1. Task 9 deals with the basics of Spey common to the many variations including the so-called "modern Spey".

I think sticking to those basic moves as done with traditional Spey is a good way to go on your exam.

2. The "flick lift " doesn't work well when I do it on grass. Fine on water. (I know you meant that question for Task 8, discussion 5.)

* TWO-HANDED FLY CASTING Spey Casting Techniques, by Al Buhr, 2006.

** Spey Casting, by Simon Gawesworth, 2004.

*** Spey Casting Made Easy DVD by Ally Gowans, Scotland, 2006.

**** Rio INTERNATIONAL SPEY CASTING by Simon Gawesworth.

***** Scott Mackenzie's Spey Casting Masterclass by Scott Mackenzie.

****** THE ESSENCE OF SPEY CASTING, by Mel Krieger.

Gordy

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[GH] Questions from Steve Kemp :

Hi Gordy.

Is there any requirement for angle changes? i.e 45 degrees/90 degrees or both?

Would the candidate be asked to perform the cast "off both shoulders" as if casting in an upstream wind on both right and the left bank?

Thanks. Steve.

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[GH] Steve,

While not specifically stated, I'd go with a 45 degree change of direction. A 90 degree change of direction is a requirement on the THCI exam..... not this one.

Casting off the opposite shoulder, either "cack-handed" or with the non-dominant hand up is not required. However, it's best that you know when to do it.

You must know, however :

- How to name the banks of a river ( Right Bank & Left Bank)

- When to use the single Spey rather than an alternative such as the double Spey with respect to :

a. Which bank you are on.

b. A downstream wind.

c. An upstream wind.

One "common denominator" to remember if the details are not second nature:

ALWAYS PLACE YOUR D-LOOP ON THE DOWN WIND SIDE. (If you don't, you may end up wearing it ).

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