Walter & Group.......
From MCI, Jim Valle One comment from me in red in his text :-
Gordy &
Group,
First of all I agree
with all of the experienced casters that have replied to the question. You can
cast any rod/line combination It is a matter of adjusting to the
variables.
When teaching it is
sometimes necessary to cast with a student’s equipment to get a feel for their
equipment and make the proper recommendations, a combination you have never felt
before. It is just that a feel combined with some experience and as Gordy says
your mind will make all the adjustments.
Here is a student
exercise that may help.
String up the worst
combination you think you have.
Lay out a long marker
line on the ground, (a 100’ tape, old fly line, rope, whatever) in a straight
line (this marks the SLP of the rod tip). Stand a rod length away from the line
and 90 degrees to it.
We are going to cast in
the horizontal across your belly with the palm of your casting hand up. (this is
a simple transition from the vertical to the horizontal and a turn of your body
90 degrees so you can see the entire cast)
(A) Start in the
backcast rod stop position with the fly line (30”) laid out on the marker
line.
We are going to make
single stroke moves and stop after each one.
Move the rod forward
(Drag it Slowly!, Watch the rod tip bend (Load) then haul) and match the haul to
the stroke length. Go back to A and do it again, (note if you are under or rover
rotating the fly line will deviate from the SLP (the marker
line))
Also very important DO
NOT LOAD THE ROD WITH THE HAUL, YOU MUST LOAD THE ROD WITH THE STROKE FIRST, the
reason is you can not apply the shorter (I think Walter pointed this out)
power smoothly and maintain a constant acceleration. You can however add
acceleration (haul line speed) to a good stroke.
Recognize that we teach
matching the haul to the stroke. This works the best for students. The actual
fact is as other responses have suggested is that it match the “power snap,
pop-stop etc.) for the most effective haul (I think Jeff noted
that)
So now try hauling
during the power snap only. Here you are adding line speed to the greatest
acceleration of the stroke.
Matching the haul to
the power snap is an advanced move and it will take some work to develop the
timing. ( I think you will notice the difference)
In either case it is important that the haul and stop end at the same time! (Jim...do you mean that the haul and the stroke should end at the same time as you stop the rod for this exercise ?)
If you work at this you
will find the solution to the formula for whatever combination you are casting.
Next step is to try it on the backcast, and then false casting while hauling.
Let us know how it
works and what you learn or more importantly Feel!
Hope this
helps.
Jim