Conclave workshops / Snap cast; history

However I am interested in the information that is contained in these workshops. Is there any chance that these workshops might be recorded and made available to those of use who are studying for our Masters, but unable to attend conclave, for whatever reason?

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Comment: In reply, I pointed out that we'd need video capability which we don't have. Also, that after one of our workshops, Dennis Grant and I repeated the teaching / demo scenario for a company who videoed it (and others). Turned out well, though I do not know if these video's have been archived for later use.

When we give workshops at the Conclave, there is a great deal of, "one-on-one" and true, "hands on" instruction which makes them much more valuable than any video rendition.

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"The original cast was developed back in the late 80s by Washington State steelie guides John Farrar and Dec Hogan. Both saw a casting demo by Tom White at a trade fair. During the demo White would use the "snap" motion to draw his line back towards him so that he could catch it to change flies, fix wind knots, or simply make an impression on the audience. Farrar and Hogan thought they might by able to do something with this move and a Spey rod. Farrar messed about with the basics, combining the "snap" with a single Spey, and showed it to Hogan. Hogan worked on refining it, and the two soon after showed it to Sage Rep George Cook, who named it the Snap-T. At the time the guys were using shooting heads with their Spey rods (the original custom made versions of what was to become the RIO Windcutter) and when Vincent came out with the WC the line and method were brought together as a potent casting tool on the Winter steelhead rivers. Later guide Scott O'Donnell modified the cast into the Snap-C or Circle Cast, and Ed Ward has come up with a variation that I believe is known as the Periwinkle. I should note that although the cast is seen most often used with WC lines, it also works quite well with long-bellied Spey lines although you need to adjust your set-up and timing."

Walter.... INTERESTING BIT OF HISTORY. Although used as a Spey move, we've also been using it with single handed rods fitted with a wide range of floating lines. It's NOT just a parlor trick nor simply for getting your fly back in a, "cool" way. I've actually used it on occasion when I've made a cast to a bonefish which didn't take ...... and, suddenly, noted another bonefish behind me, though close enough that if I had brought my rod back behind in making a standard cast he'd surely have spooked. I make a quick snap cast. My rod never gets behind me in the direction of the fish, but the fly jumps out of the water and lands behind me sometimes yielding a take that I never would have otherwise made. I learned to aim it behind me from Dean Floyd.

I don't advise any of you candidates to try that unless you have really become proficient with it. (As you practice it, you will note that if your timing is not perfect or your rod position on the snap low enough, you can end up with an awful mess as your fly line collides with your rod.)