Group,Let me give an overview of the videos and what was involved. More than anything the video was to show my casting stroke to myself and to get input from others.
With the technology we have at our fingertips this should be a normal way of explaininng casting mistakes and show good form and different styles. All of the videos are shown using Tim Rajeffs Echo Competition series 5wt rod, XXD 5wt 120' fly line, 7 1/2' hand tied hard mono leader, and yarn fly. Thevideos from the front, rear and side are self explanatory. In my false casts I
am holding roughly 82-85 feet of line in the air and then shooting back to 90+ in my final backcast before my final delivery. During the video there was noperceptable air movement, temp was in the mid 60's and falling and the humidity
low (altitude density could be evaluated from this info, most likely near 5500'), actualy elevation was 4900'.In the videos showing the white rod, this was again the Echo, taped white. The
purpose of this was to show the flex of the rod, while it may be hard to see the tip in all the frames, it can be determined from the points the tip can be seen and from the tight loops we know that the path is straight. If you stop frame the video you can see the flex of the rod after the stop in the forward cast. I have been asked if this kind of deflection or counterflex of the rod after the stop created a bow in the line. What is interesting is that the bottom leg of the loop stays at the stop height whle a small dip is created just in front of the tip, which is pulled straight as the line unrolls (true also in the backcast).Some have asked what the distances of the casts were, while I dont think this is important. The video was used as a tool to get info from other casters on ways
to improve, the level of the caster is not as important as the goal to get better. Each cast was measured to a tape, as you can see in the videos the green backing going into the guides (120' line + backing + leader), the casts ranged from 123'-128' to the fly. Attached is an outline of the casts much as Jerry described it. The lines or the dots in the attachment show the movement of the hand or in the case of the lines show the angle of the rod. I stopped the video at equal intervals of time so the greater the distance between the dots the greater the velocity of the hand. Note however, that at the greatest period of velocity and acceleration the wrist is also rotating forward. -- Jeff Wagner Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor, Federation of Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Buyer, Jax Outdoor Gear Fly Fishing Guide, Jax Outdoor Gear Redington Pro Staff 970-481-5887 jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quoting Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>:
Jerry... I started to answer your questions in text......but it turns out that your observations parallel mine, and the answer to the questions is, "YES", across the board. At the Conclave, I critiqued Jeff"s course and came to the conclusion that it was the best I'd ever attended on distance casting........PERIOD. Gordy------------------------- From: /jerry puckett <jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx>/ To: /Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>/ Subject: /Jeff Wagner/ Date: /Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:24:03 -0800 (PST)/Gordy: Thanks for the videos on Jeff Wagner casting. As you stated earlier Jeff's course at the Conclave was one of the best I have ever taken and his exercises on improving long distance casting are proving very helpful in my own personal growth. In skiing Balance is the most important and basic of four fundamentals. I have yet to the encounter the concept of balance in casting but in looking at Jeff's casting My impression was how everything look balanced and in harmony. I studied the path of the elbow and stroke and how his elbow traveled a path that compensated for rod loading and bend to follow SLP, a perfect balance between the two. Am I right in observing that Jeff's Hauls mirrored and balanced his stroke in length and power? Did I notice after an almost undetectable stop on the back cast, a drift and lay back move horizontal to the ground? Did Jeff positoned himself for the longest possible stroke this way. Everything was powerful, crisp and well timed as I observed his most excellent casting. As Clay Roberts taught me every little thing is important to distant casting. I will note one thing that I have observed in these world class casters is that the haul is aligned with the last guide in a way that there is minimun touching and friction. Rick Hartman is the master of this as I have observed him on several occasions. In observing Jeff's videos the lower part of his body had no excess movement, served as an anchor and was in balance and supported a strong upper body. I will be studying these videos for some time and I appreciate having these. I would appreciate some feed back from our most excellent group concerning these observations. Gordy and Jeff, Well Done and I am not talking about Thanksgiving Turkey! Wishing you a great thanksgiving with family and friends. Turkey Puckett
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final forward distance stroke- jeff wagner.doc
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