Walter & Group.....
Here are some comments on how to make the pointed-at-the-top ("wedge") shaped loop : -
This was Paul Arden's message:
Gordy,
This
link: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n163/grhen/cast/040cf499.gif
is a line drawing of 3 basic loop shapes.
A =
Upper pointed leading edge
B =
Lower pointed leading edge
C =
Round leading edge
To
begin with when, all 3 of these shapes can be formed without hauling. So to
attribute a late or early haul to their formation is inaccurate don’t you
think?
Woody
Woodland and I played around with this one day for A and B. We came to the
conclusion that using fast action rods we are going to get A. The only way we
were able to mimic B was to use a soft rod and attempt to finish the stroke with
the rod tip moving into RSP in a downward trajectory. If we used the same rod
and finished with the rod tip moving into RSP at a horizontal or greater angle
then we would get A. We couldn’t get the fast auctioned rods to make the B
shape. Again these tests were made without hauling the
line.
Years
ago at Long Beach Casting Club I would judge fly accuracy games and noted the
different loop shapes (which were easy to see from the perspective of being in
front of the caster and near the target). In those games few people would haul
once they got the fly to the target distance. Both of these shapes were apparent
to me back then and I only saw shape C with newer casters who had not achieved
tight loops and good stops.
Hi Gordon,
I believe the pointed loop forms due to the slight forward extension at the moment the rod is nearly unloaded.
It is helped by a stiff rod to line balance. Nobody has the reflex to know to do it at a specific instant, but it is a feeling acquired through practice. I also think the wrist turn over combined with the forward extension helps to form the point. If you follow the concept of the straight line path of the tip idea combined with high line speed to the point of release, there is likely going to be a pointed loop. Another contributing element to the pointed loop is the rod taper. It is easier to get the pointed loop with a fast taper rod, vs a slow action.
Steve
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Let's pick these messages apart and distill out the, "meat" :
1.) Seems that a stiff (fast action) rod is best, and may be necessary.
2.) Extension of the rod hand ("thrust", "stab" ... or whatever you wish to call it) somewhere near or at the end of the stroke seems to be one way of doing it.
3.) The exact timing of this maneuver may be critical, but no one has really defined this. No study data.
4.) Probably works better when casting with at least some thin running line out of the tip top.
5.) Trajectory ("launch angle") of lower back cast and higher forward cast may help.
6.) Doubtless takes lots of, "trial and error" practice with good feedback from a knowledgable observer standing off to the side.
7.) May work better when casting shooting heads with very thin shooting (running) line.
8.) Can be done without any haul at all.
9.) Extension of the haul, if used, may play a part if used to change the resistance of the rod leg to increase it relative to that of the fly leg.
10.) May be that anything which helps to damp counterflex can help.
11.) Relaxing the grip at or near RSP may help.
Factors not gleaned from the messages but which may pertain:
1.) I suspect one needs a nearly straight line path of the rod tip as for all small loops.
2.) Probably helps to have high line speed.
Gordy
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Post "autopsy" message from Gary Eaton:
