Tension with straight line & elliptical casts

Q - How do you compare the back casts of the family of Elliptical Casts with those of what we have been calling , "Straight Line Casts" ?

A - Firstly, in my previous message I included the Belgian cast as an elliptical cast that was a mistake. It should not be thought of as an elliptical cast, even though the rod tip may make a semi elliptical movement.

One of the problems with classification into two branches of fly casting is that there are a few casts of mixed blood. Let’s set them aside for the moment and look at the two classic examples, a simple straight line cast and a roll cast.

Rod tip should be low and the line as straight as possible aligned with the rod before the start.

To return the line to the original position at least two casts are needed – back cast required.

Line must be curved when the rod starts to make the cast (basic dead line cast).

It is possible to convert from a roll cast to an overhead cast and from and overhead cast to a dynamic roll cast. This latter movement is practically useless for fishing but it teaches something very important about how many roll casts work.

Best wishes,

Ally Gowans

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Ally ......

You have compared straight line back casts and the, "non-backcasts" of static roll casts exactly as I would have done.

Now let's address the burning question of tension.

The so-called, "Belgian" cast can be done in several ways. When permit fishing, I sometimes use a modification where the back cast is done using a different rod (casting) plane than the forward cast..... sometimes with a very brief pause after the back cast stop and more often by having no real, "stop" on the back cast, but moving the rod tip around in an elliptical fashion smoothly to morplh into my forward cast. I start the back cast in the almost horizontal plane, then bring the rod around to an off vertical plane for the forward cast.

The points up to which I was leading are these:-

1.) Technically, I think you are correct in that there is tension with both straight line casts and elliptical casts including the kinds of, "Belgian" casts which I described. This is denied by some who may not have thought it through.

2.) With straight line casts tension lessens dramatically after the stop on the back cast during the pause.....especially when drifting. Some members of the Group in the past have thought that it is eliminated at that point. It is NOT ..... for if so, the loop would travel back, then fall to the ground without having unfurled. At least some tension between the traveling loop and the rod tip being needed for it to unroll. Granted that drift back drift of the rod tip at near the speed of the travel of the loop, there is precious little. Even then, some exists because the drift of the rod tip would rarely be at the same velocity as that of the loop.

Proof for skeptics lies in the simple experiment done by cutting the running line, then making an overhead backcast. Tension is eliminated as the cut line leaves the rod tip. The loop never completely unrolls and falls to the ground.

3.) With true elliptical casts, as I consider the, "European continuous tension casts" to be along with one of the methods of making the, "Belgian" cast which I described , there is tension as well .....the difference being that with these casts the tension is maintained to a much greater degree almost (though not quite) as "continuous" or, "constant". This is maintained as the casting arm is smoothly repositioned for the forward cast. No actual, "stop" or pause being employed. Of course this will vary with each caster and each cast.

4.) I look at the Spey casts as forms of elliptical casting. As I marvel at the smooth appearance of continuous tension as you make your D-loops and continue into your forward stroke; there appears to be little or no pause and no defined stop. The continued rod bend is evidence of this continued tension.

This is how I see it.

Gordy