Walter & Group:
From Jim Penrod:
1.) Your method and "tricks" for teaching the basic roll cast to students. Gordy, I like to "set the stage" for a conventional roll cast with proper positioning of the rod canted away from the caster and D loop in position and then tell them that they are going to make a forward cast with no back cast. And a final admonition taken from Chuck Easterling-apply no power until the midnight hour and speed up and stop just as you did on your forward cast. After a few tries if the loop is larger than I would like we review what makes a smaller loop on a forward cast and again emphasize that this is just a forward cast. This time I want the loop at my knees. Most of my teaching is on grass and the group has discussed the use of clip boards and towels to dampen the effect on the tippet. Once my student is getting a fairly good loop I have them lay the rod farther back so that they have the advantage of a longer stroke. Most are surprised at how little effort they need to get line out. For those situations where they might be pitching under a bush or mangrove I have them practice a more horizontal roll cast. The only thing that changes is the rod plane. For the student who has trouble with this I go back to the basics of making a loop by having them make a back cast and let the line drop to the ground. Now I have them make a forward cast from the horizontal position just as we did when learning to make loops. After a couple of those I have them change the rod plane but with the line still layed out straight behind them. This usually is not a problem as they have been making loops fairly well to get to this point. Now, I have the student begin with the line lying out in front and bring it back in straight line just as we did when learning to make loops. The next step is not to bring the line all the way back but form a D loop and make the forward cast.
2.) Your way of teaching and improving the DISTANCE roll cast to for advanced students and MCCI candidates. Having spent time with Tom I have borrowed heavily from him. It is critical to get the back cast layout 180 degrees from the forward cast target with as much line behind as possible with as little slack (preferably none) as possible. The rod should be layed back essentially horizontal with a long pull. Again it is a forward cast and the same advice as above applies. For those with the ability and interest it is easy to go into a switch cast from here or dynamic roll cast as some would call it.
Jim
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Comment: Jim .... remember, that long stroke (great tip travel) about which you spoke is for the DISTANCE roll cast. For a short roll cast, you don't need nor want to get your rod all the way back. Same as for any forward cast, your stroke length should match the amount of line carried, ie. the length of your cast.
Gordy
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From David Lambert on teaching folks with disabilities: -
Gordy:
If anyone has a strong interest in this, I'd be happy to share info I've
collected/assembled for teaching fly fishing to people with physical
disabilities. I've worked with four or five disabled fly fishers and a
number of kids with disabilities, including one (legally) blind teenager
who flat out would not hear he couldn't fly fish. Fortunately, a few
businesses make disabilities-adapted fly equipment, including things
like reel handles with rings, electric motor operated fly reels with
rheostats, and casting support arms for wheelchairs; and, some very
inventive and creative people have created there own adaptive tools.
For instance, casters with one arm or poor articulation of a second arm
can use a lever-action, spring loaded, automatic fly feel, still in
production from Pflueger for $25.
Access to decent fly waters is a problem, but not insurmountable.
Florida has moved ahead recently by creating boardwalks and large decks
for wheel-chairs. One wheelchair company out of CA makes a
balloon-tire, motorized fishing 'chair' for the disabled.
Dr. Phil Brunquell has a good look at teaching children with
disabilities in his fine book FlyFishing With Chiildren. It's somewhat
short on casting, but casting certainly isn't the full measure of our
sport. Of note is Phil's concept that as instructors we can best the
"this is just another thing I won't be able to do" mind set many
disabled people, both kids and adults, have.
Also, lots of good people are contributing time and energy to Project
Healing Waters, a non-profit that helps wounded war veterans learn to,
or continue, to fly fish and tie.
http://www.fedflyfishers.org/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?board=TheFFF;action="">
http://www.projecthealingwaters.org
Anyone interested can give me a shout.
David Lambert