MCI tasks -Comments/Questions

Walter & Group...

[GH] Mark Surtees sends this message on the roll cast tasks :

Hi Gordy.

From the MCI test;

“The candidate may use an artificial anchor device on the tip end of the leader if on grass,…”

I used one of the examiners as an artificial anchor device….worked out fine.. J

Mark

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[GH] Mark,

Obviously, you knew what you were doing. Also, trusting your examiner's foot as an "anchor" worked out well... but it doesn't always turn out that way.

Same with respect to the various "roll cast tools".

Al Buhr's "Grass leader" works, too. It is partially dependent on the type and height of the grass, the number of segments, the stiffness of the leader material, and the protrusion of the monofilament from each knot. That means you may make one which works fine as you practice.... but may not work as well on the grass where the exam is held. Another problem when testing is that you have to stop and change leaders.

Gordy

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[GH] David Edens on PARALLEL LOOP LEGS :

Gordy:

When I took the CI several years ago, I threw in some extra casts that are required for the MCI. I demonstrated an aerial mend and casting from horizontal to vertical planes. I believe I performed all of the casting requirements of the CI with relative ease, but I made these casts to further demonstrate my abilities.

I concur with the comments on the video of the reverse loop roll cast. I had a very difficult time visualizing the cast, but when I saw it done I understood what it was; and I said to myself, "I can do that." Now I have to find the time to practice it!

I am thoroughly enjoying being part of the study group. Have you thought about discussing Task 17 on the MCI? Casting loops with parallel legs. I could help use on this one. I think I know why loops are out of parallel-Rod not tracking straight on the forward or back stroke, but I need some help on a clearer explanation and some exercises that will solve this problem. The biggest casting problem I face personally is an out of parallel loop back cast when casting over 70-80' This is a problem I have had for years that I need to fix.

Capt. David Edens

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[GH] David:

David,

During April and May of last year, we covered that with 6 Group messages.

That was Task 18 on the old exam; Task 17 on the new one. Basically the same task.

I'll forward those to you in case you missed them.

Also: Note that Paul Arden briefly used a loop of line and his hands to make a demonstration of parallel loop legs in his video. Good way to show this to students.

Many speak of parallel loop legs being in line, parallel with one another in both vertical and horizontal planes. Technically, they must be parallel in ALL planes.

Note that in the real World of casting as well as testing, we are really looking for loop legs to be REASONABLY PARALLEL. (I'll bet that absolutely parallel loop legs rarely actually occur.)

Gordy

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[GH] I've re-sent Ally Gowans' drawings of parallel and non-parallel loop legs in 4 attachments.

(Originally sent to the Group on of about 5/02/11).

Gordy

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[GH] Questions from Peter Minnick:

Couple of questions..

1. what is rod fade ?

2. On the performance test, is the line length measured from the reel or the rod tip?

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[GH] Peter,

1. Rod fade: Slowly lowering the entire rod. (That is how I use it)

This term, as far as I know, was first coined by Mac Brown. The definition in his book :-

"ROD FADE - A movement of the rod at the completion of the casting stroke downward toward the water or ground. Used to gain greater control over negative force cast. " *

2. On the performance test, the line is measured from the rod tip, as I looked at it. HOWEVER:-

The wording on the exam reads this way: " Lengths of line to be cast are specified in each Task, include the leader, and measured from the caster to the fly."

Candidates should read each task carefully. Some of them are worded like this :

"Casting 45 to 50 feet (13.7 - 15.2m) or "....while casting approximately 40 feet ( 12.2m)."

".....with the fly landing approximately 30 feet (9.1m) from the caster."

3. Distance to a target is measured from the caster.

* CASTING ANGLES, by Mac Brown, 1997, pp. 42, 43,155, 156, 160, 212.

Gordy

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