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Walter & Group...
[GH] Counterpoint on NO HAULING and LINE HAND ONLY from Dan McCrimmon :
Hello;
A note from the dissenting vote;
The debate on this was long and detailed. My fear was that if candidates were allowed to hold the line with the line hand, they could, in fact create a haul on the pickup simply by keeping the line hand static. "Dead Hand Haul". Now we have a situation where;
a) The examiner may miss the haul, or ignore it (lacking any rule or guidance against it)
b) The candidate may assume that this is ok, lacking any rule or guidance against it.
c) If the line is in the line hand, instinct will tell the candidate to haul, causing further stress on the candidate and the examiner.
d) Holding the line in the line hand, without hauling, is also a great way to introduce slack into the cast.
I watched one of our Japanese candidates use the rod hand as the hauling hand. This was achieved by "Dead Handing" on the pickup for the back cast, then raising the rod hand on the front cast, with the line hand still dead. This caused a beautiful smooth haul and great line speed. I have shown this technique to disabled casters (stroke victims mostly) who could not use their line hand.
Pinning the line with the casting hand may seem un-natural, but casters at this level can easily adapt.
Dan McCrimmon
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[GH] With my answer to Lewis Hinks in the message, Task 4 Discussion 4, you will note that I did bring up the subject of the effect of the stationary line hand when the rod hand is elevated on the pickup or back cast. I am fully aware of its effect in increasing rod load and line speed, but I really don't know to what extent or if this has been actually quantified. (I took note of the fact that Bill Gammel used that technique as he cast in his teaching video) *
I also called attention to the likelihood that on the following forward stroke, as the hand descends, some reduction in rod load and line speed is likely .... even to the point that (as you note) some slack may be introduced.
Points to consider :
1. Does the effect of the stationary line hand on the foreword stroke cancel out any benefit derived from it on the pickup or back stroke ? (I suspect it might)
2. For those who choose to define a haul as a "pull" with the line hand, would this be considered a true haul ? Or, perhaps a "haul effect" ? ( A pity we don't yet have an official definition.)
3. I do know that holding the line in the line hand does introduce the chance that a candidate will subconsciously haul. That is especially true of those who fish primarily in the salt where (as with me) the haul is an integral part of almost any fishing cast.
4. The scenario you describe in Japan included raising the rod hand on both the back cast and forward cast. I'm assuming that it may have descended in between or that the hand was raised on the back cast and then raised even higher on the forward cast. If so, that tension would have been increased resulting in greater line speed....but to a significant degree ???
5. Can we be more clear on what to call it when the candidate is allowed to use the line hand for other purposes for tasks requiring the adjustment of line length while, at the same time, avoiding a haul ?
I don't pretend to have the answers .
It, also, is not within the scope of a study group's objectives to try to solve these dilemmas.....only to understand them if they emerge.
My feeling is that our candidates should heed the decision of the MCI Committee while, if aware of any dissenting votes, use those and the reasons for them as background information.
That is the value I see in including notes of dissension and disagreement from admitted contrarians. Part of our in depth education.
Also adds the spice which can put the "fire in our bellies" !
* TEACHING YOURSELF TO FLY CAST, Learning the Essentials, by Bill Gammel, video, 2002; Gammel Outdoor Services.
Gordy
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[GH] The question, "Who uses this cast"? deserves an answer since the MCI candidate may be asked the uses for any task. You saw my brief answer. This from Gary Eaton :
Gordy,
Harry asks who uses this cast?
I use it all the time.
- Bending around a surface obstruction or stump
- mending downstream of a rock to prolong drag-free drift
- mending upstream into a current tongue I am casting across
- replacing a reach mend when I am standing in the willows
The aerial mend defines the statement - mending IS fishing.
Gary Eaton
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[GH] From Dave Barron :
Gordy
From Harry Boyd :
"While I realize that this is an interesting test of line handling, I wonder to what practical applications this test speaks? What fisherman uses such a cast in his routine fishing activities? What student comes to a teacher asking to learn to make small mends at various distances?"
I use this mend all the time in my stream fishing and when I am fishing my spring creeks here in Wisconsin it is a must. Say I have a fish rising up stream in front of a rock, I can cast around the rock and get to the fish. I can think of many uses for it in fishing.
Harry has asked about a student asking to learn this mend, well I consider all my clients as students and during the day I will find areas that a client will have to think on how to fish the area. When they can not figure out how to fish it I will show them. I like to get them to start thinking out of the box and not just a straight line cast. I find that teaching mends and off shoulder casts are on top of the list.
Dave
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