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Wow,
Are you saying the hook up happened at the beginning of the cast. If so then my answer would change being as I thought it occurred during false casting to make delivery. If it was at the beginning of the cast then I would say it was due to releasing the fly in the line hand early with the line hand which was holding the fly in a poor position behind instead of in front of the caster.
I would say the caster had a more vertical rod plane if this was the situation, and when he made his initial back cast and release of the fly from a poor line hand position the ear was in the path of the line, which was up in a vertical plane and bingo free piercing on board. Tension on the line should pulling the fly from position with the barb facing down, in a desired direction.
My answer was more in line with a tracking problem then the initial hook up problem that was vented on some of the answers provided. Interesting how some of us viewed the situation differently.
I have always taught this cast to make sure the fly is pulled out of the casters hand by tension being applied by the fly line in the direction of the cast, and not in the direction of the caster. Get it going either at the fish or directly away from the fish and caster to get the good tracking needed on the cast and for safety.
All the best
Gary Davison
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[GH] Gary,
Yes. Basically this is what actually happened. Let's see some details as I answer the questions -
1.) Describe at least 2 methods of making the SALTWATER QUICK CAST (SPEED CAST) from a skiff.
Most of you described two methods.
a. Line on deck, in a "bucket", "Line Tamer", stripping basket, etc. or in the cockpit aft of foredeck. Start with back cast allowing the line tension to pull the fly from the thumb/forefinger of the line hand.
- Alternative : Fly held point up by the hackle or hook bight against the cork with the casting hand.
- Alternative: Line loops draped in order from the fingers of the line hand.
- Alternative: Some line out of the rod tip allowed to float next to the skiff in the water.
b. Line as described, above. The initial cast is an aerial roll cast.
2.) Which METHOD do you think may have led to the hook-up injury ?
a. Line on the foredeck starting with a back cast.
3.) What do you think the CASTER DID to make this injury likely ?
a.. He was casting with an almost vertical rod plane.
b.. The fly was released way too early. (should have been held 'til "plucked" from grasp.)
c.. The caster actively "launched" the fly by inadvertently tossing it up and to his left as he started to try and load his back cast. Of course, this meant that there was precious little resistance to help provide that load allowing the head wind to assist the fault by blowing the fly toward him. For some reason, he'd been holding that fly, NOT BY THE FLY, ITSELF, BUT BY THE BITE TIPPET. This allowed it to dangle a bit behind him on his left side until he launched it up and out with his line hand !
d. Our student was as high strung as a banjo string. The very thought of approaching bonefish made him "come unglued" so that even his set-up was faulty. This was compounded by even greater excitement of the moment as the fish actually approached, so that even when it was all over, he didn't even remember how he had held that fly(bite tippet) or that he had thrown it up rather than allowing line tension on the first back cast to pluck it from his finger grasp.
4.) Describe another simple FAULT which can make a hook injury likely to happen when making these saltwater quick casts.
a. Using a strictly vertical rod plane (casting plane).
b. Holding the fly hook point down. (Hand injury).
c. Holding the fly in the line hand, behind the caster's body.
d. Failing to take into account the wind direction.
5.) A number of very experienced Florida Keys saltwater skiff guides strongly discourage any but seasoned salt water fly anglers from attempting these casts when fishing. Why do you think this might be?
Five of you addressed question 5 during the past 3 days.... and did it well. This includes messages from Mark Milkovich, Gary Davison, Lyth Hartz, Steve Smith, and Bob Rumpf.
Craig Buckbee joins them with his answer to question 5.) :
Gordy,
"5.) A number of very experienced Florida Keys saltwater skiff guides strongly discourage any but seasoned salt water fly anglers from attempting these casts when fishing. Why do you think this might be? "
Sport watches cast instead of keeping eyes on fish. KEEP EYES ON FISH. Fish is moving.
So the sport is more than likely fumbling with ill-timed casts (as others have answered) but
now has lost sight of the quarry.
Craig
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My own answer to question 5.) would be, "all of the above". Few things can spoil a guided flats trip faster than an angler becoming frustrated as he tries a technique which must be learned and well practiced well in advance of his trip.
The angler's frustration is disappointing to his guide who's primary goal is to have a satisfied client at the end of the day. This won't likely happen when casting problems result in one missed opportunity after another.
Many casting faults can be handled by a guide who is also a competent casting instructor as many are. This one is more difficult to "cure" than most others because of the simple fact that these casts occur in the heat of the moment where tensions are heightened and speed coupled with unfamiliar line and fly handling techniques add to the problem.
I have had many an expert fly caster on my foredeck who "comes apart" at the sight of a school of tarpon in the 70lb. to 100lb. plus range approach in water only about 2' - 3' deep ! Hearts race, tension builds, the knees knock, (we call that a "KK") and casts go to pieces. Sometimes the only real cure is made by the angler breaking the ice with a successful hook-up. After that, he can calm down a bit for the next presentation.
Gordy
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[GH To Follow:
I'll pose a series of questions which are based on the second part of the Master Exam Task 13 :
"... Secondly, explain and demonstrate the line handling challenge that an angler faces when wading an ocean flat. Hauling required.
After that, we can look into casting methods which are alternatives to the Salt water Quick casts.
Gordy
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