Problem: Back cast loops strike the ground

Walter & Group...

[GH] I've included messages from Walter Simbirski and me in an attachment entitled, "Unlearning Simplifications" for those interested.

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[GH] I'm pleased that we have some good answers to our question. I suggest that Master candidates read these through, then go back an pick out each method of correction and list them for future reference for addition to a personal "bag of tricks":

Your new student casts with big poorly controlled loops. Her back cast loops strike the ground with each attempt.

1. Likely diagnosis?

2. Corrections?

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[GH] From John Bilotta :

Your new student casts with big poorly controlled loops. Her back cast loops strike the ground with each attempt.

1. Likely diagnosis?

1. Wristing or breaking the wrist much on the backcast.

2. Ripping the pick up off the ground/water during the backcast.

3. Using a rod that is too large for the person.

4. Trying to cast pick up too much line

2. Corrections?

1. Tell her not to rotate the wrist, just squeeze and stop the rod as it approaches her ear.

2. Stop with the thumb point up.

3. Work on making the pick up smoother.

4. Make sure the rod isn't too big or heavy for the caster.

5. Shorten the amount of line she is working with.

6. Try casting on the horizontal plane

7. Use a wristlok.

Thanks

John

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[GH] Rick Brown answers:

Problem: back cast hits the ground.

Cause: Poor timing can cause the problem but the most likely cause is a combination of a convex path of the rod tip and breaking the wrist. These will always send the line to the ground.

Solution: I have found that breaking the wrist is hard to cure because students do it unconsciously but I have a ''writ lock'' (I think that it is sold under the Wulff name) and that helps break the habit. As far as the convex path is concerned, I begin with a simple explanation like ''painting the ceiling of an igloo'' and then move to a hands on demonstration of the right and wrong way so that they can feel the difference.I will also encourage them to watch their back casts.

If the student is a little more advanced, I will go to the 6 step method before anything else. If you don't know what it is that is being done wrong, then it is almost impossible to make the necessary correction.

**this is what led me to Al Crise in the beginning. I was totally self taught and reasonably good at fly casting. But I wanted to be a lot better. I found that no amount of practice made any difference at all.

best, Rick

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[GH] Rick,

The various kinds of "wrist locks" do work. However, while it they are useful in having the student see the improvement when this is used, there comes a point when he must be weaned from it.

Tom White used to place a protruding rod butt down into the student's long sleeve shirt wrist cuff. that worked, too.

Another in Tom's "bag of tricks" was to have the student cast with the reel turned around and kept tight against the forearm.

You mentioned the 6 step method. That is hard to beat as an algorithm for diagnosing and correcting faults. *

Your last sentence says a lot. In order to correct our own faults (and we all have them) we need to know what to look for and what to do about it. Too many casters just keep casting hoping that the light will dawn..... and it usually doesn't.

* A SIX STEP METHOD, by Bruce Richards, THE LOOP, Spring issue, 1999.

Gordy

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