Walter & Group...
>From Gary Davison:
Gordy,
This power application can not be understated in the fly cast! Our ability to stop the rod is the main event that initiates good loop formation and energy transfer from Rod to Line!
I reference Al Kyte presentation in the Loop.
Hopefully all have seen or read this important documentation, you can probably give us the year and date of the article when provided by Al, so more can read it's content.
But to touch briefly regarding his findings with regards to the essence of great fly casting. It was determined that the major difference between a good caster and a highly elite caster is his or her ability to stop the rod.
The better we were able to stop the rod to transfer the energy from the rod to the fly line with the most efficiency, obtained better results.
Basically knowing how to efficiently stop the rod to make the required loops to convey the cast with the most efficiency for the purpose of the cast was a major advantage or should I say, those with the best ability or skill to make this happen stood out as the best casters.
Key word is the purpose of the cast. We have students come to us at all levels. Most beginners have no concept of where, when and how to implement power or when to make a good stop in a fly cast.
This may mean some positioning of the instructors hand in front of the cast to restrict the stroke or rotation of the rod to get the desired results happen, and to get the point across.
Even then this may not take hold until more practice is implemented and muscle memory is impounded into the students through practice.
These direct opposite power zones applying and reducing power are difficult for many casters to hone in on correctly. So extreme casting is require. 
It depends on what tackle is being used, under what conditions. So the variables can be immence.
Yet we have to give the basics for these situations, and then let experience prevail as the student encounters different situations in the field. Extreme casting situations!
It is up to us to give the basic guide lines, so they the students can apply and correct in the field, as needed when the need arises.
So the importance of teaching the student the stop comes to be very important as provided by Soon Lee.
If we teach the stopping of the rod, then many of the other aspects of fly casting come into focus. Once this fundamental and essential part of the fly cast has been implemented.
All the best
Gary
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[GH] Gary:
Yes. I was waiting out a tide and the appearance of tarpon early yesterday morning. I made many casts with tight loops and no true stop or a "mushy" stop. I did it by thrusting the rod up and drifting it up and in the direction of the cast immediately after line launch. Here is what I found -
1. Not easy to do. Takes lots of practice.
2. I did not have good control.
3. My accuracy was poor.
4. Only worked for short casts. Impossible for me to make a decent distance cast by that method.
5. Conclusion: Making small loops that way is a doable stunt. Not for practical casting or fishing.
The article by Al Kyte and Gary Moran did call attention to the fact that their study of good vs. elite casters showed that the best elite casters were able to stop the rod butt ABRUPTLY so the butt of the rod moved hardly one degree. The less successful casters couldn't hold the rod as steady when they "stopped". *
* GOING FOR DISTANCE, by Al Kyte & Gary Moran, Fly Fisherman, May, 1993.
(I summarized /outlined that article and placed it in an attachment. The comment on the abrupt stop is item # 19.)
Gordy
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