|
Walter & Group...
[GH] Our last 2 messages on loops were both labelled, "Loop formation problem 3". The later one should have been called, "Loop formation 4".
>From Tom Dempsey:
After returning from Unicoi it was apparent that the key ingredient in moving up the ladder from CCI to MCI is the back loop.
The problem is that the caster is Not in the best place to judge the loop shape. If you cast vertically you can't see your backloop and if you cast slightly off vertical you are not in a position to judge the shape on the horizontal or vertical plane. Unless you set up a video 180 to the vertical and 90 to the horizontal your view will not be accurate.
If the observer is not set up 180 and 90 you have the same problem . I'm still trying to figure this out so there can be a good way to critic i.e. improve the back cast. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Tom in Mobile
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[GH] Tom,
Much more than "food for thought". You have come up with an important problem experienced by many if not most who are preparing for the Masters exam !
As primarily a salt water fly fisher, I rarely use a vertical rod plane (casting plane) when fishing. My style is low "elbow on the shelf", off-vertical to off-horizontal casting plane as described and taught by Lefty Kreh.
HOWEVER: There are circumstances which, for me, are best served by casting in a more vertical plane. Especially when fishing streams with lots of brush or trees on either side. Also, when pin-point accuracy is needed for short to medium distance casts.
At first, I took issue with the idea that when tested the candidates should demonstrate loop control while casting in a vertical casting plane. I relented when it became apparent that the main reason for this is that by doing it that way, the student(s) would be better able to see these loops. Also, that it is not difficult for accomplished casters to exhibit good control of loops size for both forward and back casts at the modest line lengths carried (45' - 50') even when casting in the vertical plane.
I guess we might call this a "loop teaching style".
An additional advantage in having these loop control tasks done vertically, is that for most candidates it is much easier for them to achieve reasonably parallel loop legs with well controlled side-to-side tracking.
What about the difficulty in being able to SEE your back cast loops as you practice ?
Here are some suggestions which have worked well for candidates I've mentored:
1. Go back to basics, periodically, and do some horizontal casting as you place well controlled loops over a line on the ground. Or between two lines on the ground. Once control is perfected, do the same thing repeatedly as you go ever more vertical with your rod plane. Reason? You can SEE the back cast loops as you do this.
2. Critique your own back cast loops as you open your stance and cast in an off vertical plane. Once the exercises are perfected, go a bit more vertical, then vertical. The idea, here, is that if you have done it enough, the so-called, "muscle memory" will carry over so you will be making better back cast loops even though you can't see them.
3. Best to have someone critique your back cast loops as you cast in a vertical rod plane with respect to:
a.) Loop size (As determined from one side)
b.) Reasonably parallel loop legs in a vertical plane (As determined from one side)
c.) Tracking (Reasonably parallel loop legs in the horizontal plane).
- This can be done by the observer standing well behind the caster.
- A great way to do this is to have an observer actually lie on his back behind the caster while looking up at the fly line loop legs.
4. Other methods:
# Years ago, Molly Semenik found she could critique her practice loops by seeing her reflection in a large picture window in the front of her home ! (Pure serendipity !!)
# Video (as you mentioned). Unfortunately, it isn't easy to see the details of loop formation with the cell phone cameras I've seen . Can be done with more sophisticated equipment, but most of us don't have that available.
# When I coach a candidate, I have him make different size loops on forward and back casts upon command. (Back loop small : forward loop big and vice versa, etc., etc.).
All this mainly pertains to Task 1 on the Master Performance Exam.
For Task 12. (The 85' distance cast) it is best for most casters to use an open stance and an off vertical casting plane. This allows for observation of the back cast loop. Remember.... it is best to choose the best back cast loop you can form as the basis for your final forward presentation cast !! Watch your back cast loops as you practice this task AND AS YOU TAKE YOUR CASTING EXAM.
Often when I coach a Master candidate and the distance cast isn't going perfectly, all I have to do is to say,"STOP. Do it again. This time, WATCH YOUR BACK CAST. " This more often than not results in a much more efficient distance cast with better layout.
Putting it another way : "The back cast is the setup for your forward cast".
Hope this helps.
Gordy
|