Walter & Group..........
I should point out that when casting in no wind or a weak head wind, that the most important factor in the difference between the efficiency of travel of the tight loop vs. the wide loop is the focus of more energy directed toward the target, that this is not true for high wind situations :
1.) When casting directly into the wind, the wind resistance becomes a relatively greater problem as it increases. As it does so, we reach a balance point where the ability of a tight loop to overcome wind resistance is equal to the effect of the small loop directing more energy in the direction of the target.
As the wind increases, we go beyond that point, and the ability of the tight loop to penetrate it becomes more and more important.
Finally, we reach a point where no loop, however tight, can penetrate it = no effective cast.
2.) When casting with the wind at the casters back, things change. For both reasons, the tight loop is more effecient when the wind is mild, but there comes a point when the wind is very strong where the, "kiting" effect of a large loop can yield a longer cast with the larger loop or a cast of the same distance requiring less energy input on the part of the caster.
Gordy