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Walter & Group...
[GH] Getting back to the topic of testing CCI candidates.
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[GH] Tony Loader sent me this as a private message on Apr. 13. He, then, gave me permission to use it as a Group message. My answers to his questions appear in his text in italics. I've placed the tasks description below this message for reference :
Hi Gordy,
Ever appreciative of your efforts with the study group, may I take up a little of your time in relation to another of your good works?
If possible, would you, as a member of the committee which formulated the present CCI performance exam, be so kind as to clarify a couple of things, privately, for me as a potential examiner?
Task 2 calls for demonstration of "very wide loops..." Is the expectation that the candidate cast a "true loop" i.e one with essentially parallel legs or a "non-loop" i.e. the shape which would result from a domed tip path? *
[GH] I'm not looking for "non-loops". On this exam, "very wide loops" generally refer to true loops larger than 6 feet. (They could be 10' or larger so long as there is actually a fly leg (upper leg) and a rod leg (lower leg) the legs being less than 90 degrees with respect to one another.
Task 7 calls, in part, for a slack line presentation with no aerial mend. It was my understanding that the "pile cast" task on the previous exam was there, at least in part, to test the candidate's understanding and application of the 180 degree rule. The current task 7 seems rather to be testing the candidate's understanding and application of the difference between a cast and a mend. * *
[GH] The current task tests: 1. The ability to make slack line presentations in two ways:
a.) With a cast (no mend)
b.) By means of a mend after the cast.
2. Knowing the difference between a CAST and a MEND.
# The new task is not designed to test knowledge of the "180 degree rule" even though the prior one may have done that as some examiners viewed it. (The candidate may not even choose a Pile cast to meet the requirements.)
My understanding of a mend is along the lines of "a purposeful manipulation of the rod, after loop formation, so as to modify the rod leg of the loop". Accordingly, if a candidate were to throw a high trajectory forward cast and then "fade" the rod tip down just slightly slower than the falling rod leg, thus allowing gravity and trajectory to form a slack layout, I would understand him to have satisfied the requirement to not mend.
[GH] I agree.
Alternatively, were he to hold the tip high until the line laid out and then lower the tip so as to have a pile of slack at his feet, I would again understand him to have satisfied the requirement to not mend.
[GH] Agree. (He's following the line down with the descending rod tip.)
Conversely, were he to actively pull the rod leg down with the rod tip so as to enhance the slack layout, I would understand him to have made a mend and would therefore need to see some alternative, non-mended, cast e.g a "pendulum", "bounce-back", "tuck" or other. It would appear, from comments made by potential candidates, that not all of their previous advisors would agree with me. Do you see it differently?
[GH] I see it the way you do.
Not wishing to be too pedantic, but the definition of "mend" in the glossary here: http://fedflyfishers.org/Resources/Education/FlyFishingGlossary.aspx as being an upstream curve only(!), is not particularly helpful while a "loop" is not defined at all.
[GH] In my opinion, that should be updated and revised. Long overdue.
My working definitions for each :
LOOP: Configuration of the line after it leaves the rod tip with less than 90 degrees between the fly leg and the rod leg.
MEND: Repositioning the line or segment of line after loop formation.
Best,
Gordy
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TASK 2. Casting 35-40 feet (10.7-12.2meters), demonstrate very wide loops on the forward cast on command.
EXPECTATIONS: On command the forward loops should exceed the width of the back loops by 3' (0.91m) or more. Forward and back loops should be in the same plane.
(___) Tailing loops.
(___) Wide loop too narrow.
(___) Wide loop not cast on command.
(___) Other..
COMMENTS: _________________________________________________________
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TASK 7. Make two slack line presentations with the fly landing at approximately 25-30' (7.6-9.1m). One presentation is to be made as a slack line cast with no aerial mend. The second presentation is to be the result of an aerial mend(s)
EXPECTATIONS: The slack would achieve a drag free drift and the fly and leader must land in front of the fly line.
(___) Did not create slack that would result in a drag free drift.
(___) Did not create slack in two different ways.
(___) Fly did not land in front of the fly line and leader
COMMENTS: _____________________________________________________________________
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