Hi, Dennis....
I can't help but think that for most river current problems, the REACH MEND which includes an upstream curve can yield a better drag free drift.
Again, we get into discussions as to exactly what to call these casts. My thought process includes a definition of a MEND as a move which repositions the fly line (not necessarily the fly) after the cast has been made. If I follow that definition, then the reach to the side could certainly be considered a reach cast if it is done before the STOP, and a reach mend if done afterward, EACH RESULTING IN A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THE ROD TIP AND THE FLY.
In Jason Borger's, THE NATURE OF FLYCASTING..., the author makes a definite distinction between, "reach casts" and "reach mends", p.259. He states, " ITA (in the air) Reach Mends are often called Reach Casts, but the organizational semantics of this book demarcates between the two........ . . mends are not truly part of a cast - they serve to manipulate line after the cast....." and, "Reach Casts are typically done in the right and left directions. Instead of reaching after the cast has been made, though, the rod is reached during the cast itself. This results in the line and fly being re-aimed simultaneously."
The addition of a curve mend to the reach (cast or mend) could then be considered a COMBINATION mend or a CAST/MEND. One could even combine the reach maneuver with a compound curve mend, (2 different mends before the fly lands) such as a double up-stream mend for multiple tongues of current, or even a serpentine (wiggle) mend or S- mend. It's interesting to note that these combinations along with others are lumped into the term, "enlightment casting" by Mac Brown, who goes in to great complexity in describing them in his, CASTING ANGLES.
All lies in what we finally agree to call these moves. My way of looking at this is an attempt to have the labels affixed to our casts conform to the basic definitions. That these "basic defintions" are attackable, is becoming increasingly obvious as new information is gained.
Gordy
From: "Dennis Grant" <dennisg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: <dennisg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "'Gordon Hill'" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: reach cast
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 13:20:18 -0400
Hi GordyHope you and Priscilla have a great Christmas.When we are all back in action after Christmas I can respond to your 'reach cast' vs 'reach mend' in more detail. I must take issue with you just a tad. The reach cast involves a straight line from the tip of the rod to the fly. The reach mend involves a second movement of the rod tip during the reach that produces a curve (mend) in the fly line (could be up or down stream, but rarely down). The reach mend is extremely useful when there is a considerable water flow (current) between the rod tip and the fly. It increases the float time and makes sure that the fly travels downstream well ahead of the fly line AND LEADER. I personally use the REACH (straight line) when the flow is consistent between the rod tip and the fly.Once one rod length of line passes the rod tip we cannot effectively change the direction of the FLY. Therefore the reach movement is made just after the stop or at the same time as the stop, BUT before the fly or fly line touches the water.Keep up the excellent work, at any time if I can be of assistance please let me know.All the best, Dennis-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Hill [mailto:hillshead@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2005 11:39 AM
To: flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx; sobbobfish@xxxxxxx; rtab@xxxxxxx; CAPTPERMIT@xxxxxxx; creangler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; dwright@xxxxxxxxxxxx; daver@xxxxxxxxxx; dennisg@xxxxxxxxxxxx; captdoug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; dsprague01@xxxxxxxxxxx; ephemera@xxxxxxx; brushycreekfc@xxxxxxxxx; keysjake@xxxxxxx; barefootj@xxxxxxx; bradyir@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; flyfishar@xxxxxxxxxxx; ken.cole@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; captkirk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; glbaggett@xxxxxxxxx; mkreider1@xxxxxxx; martyt@xxxxxxxxxx; niallogan@xxxxxxxxxx; pminnick@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; bigfly@xxxxxxxxx; whorwood@xxxxxxxxx; flycasts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; sheila@xxxxxxxxxx; scjacobs@xxxxxxxxxxxx; tharper@xxxxxxxxxxx; tomwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: mildbill@xxxxxxxxxxxx; caddis@xxxxxxx; Brydnlnims@xxxxxxxxxxx; cezannealexander@xxxxxxxxxxx; crazycharlie@xxxxxxx; croberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; blacksalmon@xxxxxxxxxxx; DermSox@xxxxxxx; gladesflybum@xxxxxxxxx; gavin@xxxxxxxxxxx; hillshead@xxxxxxx; iverson@xxxxxxxxx; jfs523@xxxxxxxxxxx; jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx; kathleen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; thedamselfly@xxxxxxxxxxx; plami@xxxxxxxxxxx; ray@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; kerrrc@xxxxxxxxx; simbirsw@xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: reach castol Al...
You are correct that the, "reach cast" as commonly taught and tested on the CCI exam, is really a REACH MEND, since the reach move is done as with any mend, after the stop.
In doing it properly, we look for a straight line between the rod tip and the fly once the target is hit. We also look for the caster to slip line as the reach move is made so that the fly is not pulled back away from the target.
An acceptable fishing technique is to aim the cast a bit beyond the feeding lane target in a controlled manner so that slipping line can be avoided and the reach move done so the fly IS brought back......but accurately to the target. Since that is much harder to do and still maintain accuracy, most fly fishermen consider this as an alternative, not a primary technique.
One could actually conceive of a true, "reach cast". Consider the side-arm cast made in the horizontal rod plane and kept way out to one side or the other. Here, the, "reach" is made before the stop.
Let me refer you to Jason Borger's Book, THE NATURE OF FLY CASTING, pp. 85 - 93 for details.
There are many modifications of reach mends and reach "casts" such as the UP reach mend, the DOWN reach mend, and combination casts such as a purposely done CURVE CAST-REACH MEND.
Many years ago, I was taught the various modifications of these by Doug Swisher. Some give him credit for describing the reach cast.....though Doug refuses to take credit for this is saying that fly fishermen were doing it long before he and Carl Richards described it in, FLY FISHING STRATEGY, 1975 ; pp. 30 - 39. This is definitely worth reading. They describe the combos including the serpentine reach, curve reaches combinations and others. The accompanying pictures are well done, too.
Doug's video, ADVANCED FLY CASTING shows this and a great deal more as he, "boxes the compass" in using many techniques in all directions on the stream.
One thing often forgotten by teachers of this reach technique is that in order to yield a drag free drift of the fly, it's necessary, after the fly has landed, to FOLLOW THE FLY DOWNSTREAM WITH THE ROD TIP AT THE SPEED OF THE CURRENT. Failure to do that negates the very purpose for the reach.
Gordy
From: "Allen Crise" <flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <stevehollensed@xxxxxxxxxx>
CC: "gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: reach cast
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 20:16:16 -0600
Howdy Steve
I was a little worried I got a lot of bounces.
Quiz, answers and my Christmas card
Ok any movement to position the line after the stop is a mend.
Any line control done before the stop is a cast.
So you might call the reach cast a reach mend that is true.
This is one of the problems in the teaching of casting. Getting all the
terms right.
After the loop is formed it is the bullet out of the barrel so to say on
it's way.
So after you have stopped the rod formed the loop there is not much you can
do but stall the travel or pull it back.
The caster can send the fly behind the loop Then dump the rod leg to stop
the cast. That is about all. Over feeding slack will foil the loop. This is
most often just a lost of control.
ol Al
Allen Crise FFF Master Casting Instructor
SOC VP of Education
Hawk Ridge Flycasting School
2508 A County Road 1011
Glen Rose, TX 76043
254-897-2045
geocities.com/rrdoctor
flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.13/200 - Release Date: 12/14/2005