Gordy hi -
Thought provoking stuff, here:
I'm curious/concerned about the consideration of pullbacks as mends:
Is exaggerated, controlled rebound from overflex considered a pullback? Do we have an accepted definition of pullback?
Would that distinction between exaggerated rebound and be difficult to see for an evaluator?
Have I just diminished the discussion into the realm of pedantia?
Thanks
David
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[GH] David,
You are right on target.
The MCI testing committee looked at pullbacks as mends. In case of any misunderstandings on that they listed both mends and pullbacks as being not allowed for Task 5 (curves).
Of course, we don't have any "official" definitions let alone those for "mend" or "pullback".
When the rod tip bounces back after the cast, is that a "pullback" ? Not unless the caster assists with a purposeful move in that direction. Boils down to action by the caster or not. ( as I see it.)
The most common description generally used for "mend", as I think you know, is :
Mend: A repositioning of the line after the cast.
Can you or I perform a curve cast with a pullback so subtle that an observer or examiner would miss it ? Yes, of course.
When I perform a curve cast with a rapid wrist-twist, I make a twist in the direction I want the fly to go and a split second later augment the curve with a twist in the opposite direction. It is so fast that no examiner can identify what I did. In fact, I can't even be sure if that second twist is done "after the cast". To me, as a caster, it seems that I do the whole thing, "at the stop". Super high speed video analysis might prove otherwise (??????)
Best,
Gordy
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[GH] From Mac Brown :
Gordy,
Welcome back ! I must say it is exciting to have so much enthusiasm for line control of curves in the discussion. Years ago when I thought about testing (early 90's) when Tom Theus was doing the education for the FFF I met with him several times at shows to run through the various curves. Back then there was little emphasis on curves in general. It is a much more exciting time now for sure! It also goes to show how far the FFF casting program has advanced.
I know many of you already know this but I think it can be a dangerous thing to guess direction for positive and negative casts. They all are only relative to the loop plane one uses. Add to that we can invert the loop plane (tailing tendency) for control. The corkscrew opens the door for all the more critical timed cast that fall into the category of transverse waves. I spent a fair bit of time with Ed and Lefty the past few years discussing casting and most of the curves Ed talks about in the book (where the hand follows the direction of the curve) are brought about from slight wrist torque's (to and from or from and to). These waves propagate to the end when correctly timed. The unique thing about transverse waves is that we no longer have to pay as close attention to the loop plane we use. In other words, you can now have a perfect vertical loop plane (cast right over the top of the rod tip) and still have perfect control of curves going left or right. These subtle muscle memories are best learned with the MPR from echo during the long winter months for those playing around with them.
David Lambert has some great wave manipulations as well that he can come in and explain. I know we sure had fun playing around with them last time we got together. As to accuracy on the negative casts -I feel like I am more accurate with them overall. The reason being is that they travel slower. Add the rod fade move downward to the target area and I think anyone can become highly accurate with them in pocket water.
The transverse waves are worth learning because the conditions change from upstream to downstream winds. They can direct into the wind often times easier than a positive cast. They will become more common in the future as well because so many more folks can perform them and teach them to others. I think that is one of the biggest differences from a few decades ago to the the present.
Mac Brown
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[GH] Mac:
Paul Arden sent this message which is in tune with what you have said about the wave transmission. I think he's right.
Hi Gordy,
Yes and no. The curve is actually a wave that travels back from loop straight on the delivery, the wave travels back up the fly line and the hook is formed. The more energy imparted to the line, and the higher the Tension in the rod leg, the greater the hook. Bernd/Aitor have a great video of this occurring, which I seem to remember being posted in your group?
Pull-back pre-RSP definitely enhances the curve. There are three possible reasons, all of which are probably true:
1) second more frequency invoked on the rod resulting in higher line speed
2) increased counterflex generating more Tension
3) increased rebound doing the same.
I can't tell you which is more important because the engineers disagree on this one!
Cheers, Paul
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[GH] From CK Ling on questions 1, & 2. :
1.) List as many techniques as you can to make curved casts. Overpowered, underpowered, transverse waves during casting strokes, off tracking curve, snap curve and corkscrew.
2.) Briefly describe each one as though you were teaching a student who had already mastered a good basic cast.
OVERPOWERED; the excess energy in the cast causes the line end and leader to kick over to the opposite side of fly leg. This effect can be augmented by pullback,mend, haul.
UNDERPOWERED; loop hasn't enough energy to extend line fully. Greater accuracy can be achieved by controlling the dissipation of energy.
TRANSVERSE WAVES; usually horizontal TW created during the cast or at the end of the cast by a forceful out and in deviation of the rod tip. Eg. V cut, wrist or forearm torque,
SNAP curve; using a forceful secondary loop formation to reverse the initial loop layout to form a curve.
OFF TRACKING CURVE CAST; using tracking error between forward and back cast to form a curve.
CORKSCREW; a combination of transverse wave and mend.
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[GH] Ling,
A reminder for all MCI candidates and Masters who are on testing teams: -
ON THE MCI EXAM ONLY PURE CURVE CASTS ARE ACCEPTED. HAULS, MENDS &/OR PULL-BACKS ARE NOT ALLOWED. This has been approved by BOG vote.
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