Learning by SEEING

Walter & Group...

[GH] More answers to consider:

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>From Len Anderson. I added a few answers which some of you contributed. My comments in red:-

1. When teaching I like to explain what I'm about to do and why I do it, then demonstrate it, after demo. ask the students what they observed.

2. I tell them what I'm about to do with the fly rod, I ask them to watch my demonstration and then ask them what they saw.

3. Yes (white rod)

4. Same as 2. only watching the line

5. Yes (brite orange)

[GH] Good. Student participation is so important

Look, again, at Al Buhr's picture. This time, note the THICK, HI-VIZ white fly line head. Great for having the students see the line as he demonstrates casting. (Pic attached again).

Lefty Kreh has designed a medium action Instructor rod for Temple Fork Outfitters. It is bright yellow.

I use it often.

I've just learned that he designed, for Temple Fork Outfitters, an indoor practice rod which they call the "Office Rod". ( Like the golf putting stuff for homes and offices, it can be used for some relaxing practice in an office.) I'm exited to try it. It may well turn out to be useful in a classroom, too.

6. I have them watch the movements and then ask them what they saw.

7. I watch the loop formation from the best angle given the color of the line the background and and lighting.

[GH] From Steve Smith:

8. Do you have any tricks to share on enhancing visual teaching effects in the classroom ?I have a great tool of 2 dowels bolted together with a rod tip in the middle(flexible) and an elastic band going from the top of one dowel to the top of the other(represents a straight rod path).You can then open and close the arc( the2 dowels).The elastic shows the straight rod path then you can show them how much to bend the rod in relation to how large your casting stroke is to be in order to maintain a straight line path.Little arc little bend ,large arc large bend. It is very visual .

[GH] From Damon Newpher:

8. Do you have any tricks to share on enhancing visual teaching effects in the classroom ?

A. Video, everyone loves a good movie.

B. Indoor casting rods (Fly O)

C. Pantomime with rod butts

D. Let the student perform with an indoor casting rod standing casting arm side to a mirror.

9. Having the sun behind me in the students eyes.

10. I explain how trout look up and are spooky especially in calm clear water on sunny days. Trout find out at a early age there can be danger from above. (birds and other predators)

[GH] From David Edens:

10. What (if anything) do you teach your students about what and how the trout sees?

I speak about the “cone of vision” From what I understand, a trout see a silhouette; a fly line looks like a stick. That presentation is most important, size is more important than color. I speak about the dimples the legs of a dun make in the meniscus (surface film) How hackle imitates that. How the wings are the first thing that come into the cone of vision; and for that reason, why they are important on flies for selective trout. I believe this is from Marinaro’s, Ring of the Rise.* Or it could be from Selective Trout by Swisher and Richards.** It is probably a combination of both. I believe my copies are in storage.

I placed references, below. One of the very best, is PRESENTATION by Gary Borger. ***

11. NO

12. No

13. No

14. I usually just put a loop in my fly line on the ground and explain that is what the line should look like after the rod stops.

15. Describe what I'm doing using a bright colored fly line for good visibility. I describe how a open loop is formed then show it, while changing my stroke show how the loop goes from wide to narrow.

16. Both

17. Yes

18. Yes

19. I have them try a open stance and have them look at the back cast as it unrolls.

20. Yes.

21. When trying to improve distance I talk about the importance of increasing the rod arc, getting the rod to load more and a corresponding lengthening of the casting stroke and increase in line speed using a double haul. Then I demonstrate what I've talked about. Then I have student try it.

[GH] From Damon Newpher:

20. Do you ever use a visual method to teach the relationship between ROD BEND and CASTING ARC for your advanced students? Yes

21. If you answered YES to # 20, briefly tell us how you do that. Although not very often, I’ll draw diagrams on a piece of paper and explain that because of load the rod tip travels in a straight path while your hand and arm rotate the rod butt.

22. Joan Wulff Casting Accuracy

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* In the RING of the RISE, by Vincent C. Marinaro, 1976, Chapter 2, pp. 9-26.

** FLY FISHING STRATEGY, by Doug Swisher & Carl Richards, 1975. (Great for presentations, etc., but not for what the trout actually sees)

*** PRESENTATION, by Gary Borger, 1995, pp. 21-38

Learning by SEEING - 5