MCCI PREPARATION / "TRIAL EXAM"

This contains questions which represent the sort of ones often used on an MCCI exam. Some are taken directly from the list of questions in the Master Study Guide. Some are from Dusty Sprague (CBOG) THEY ARE NOT THE ACTUAL QUESTIONS WHICH YOU CAN EXPECT .... ONLY EXAMPLES.

Answers to these questions are from Bill Kessler (MCCI candidate) and are sent with his permission. His answers appear in lower case print. My comments following each of his answers appear in UPPER CASE RED ITALICS.

Since this is a necessarily long message, I'll break it into portions over the next couple of days.

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INSTRUCTING ABILITY
"Explain and demonstrate a "saltwater type cast." Start with fly in hand and approximately 20-25 feet of line extended from the rod tip. Shoot to 60 feet, with no more than 2-3 false casts.

Answer: The saltwater cast enables the caster to sight cast to fish with out significant delay. To prepare for the cast the caster must strip off an appropriate amount of line for likely fishing conditions, say 60 or 70 feet. Once the line is off of the reel the caster must pile the line in on the deck or in the stripping container so that the line closest to the fly is on top of the line closest to the reel, so that the line will be able to shoot without tangling. The caster then holds the fly at or below the bend in the hook so that they will not be struck with the hook. Also in the fly hand the caster should hold the end of the fly line or knot which connects the leader to the fly line. With an appropriate amount of line beyond the rod tip to allow the caster to flex the rod slightly on the initial cast. Say 15 feet. Holding the fly and line in this manner allows the caster to control his fly line while in the boat and to be ready to cast. The cast begins with a roll cast to straiten the fly line and leader. The fly should be pulled from the casters line hand by the force of the initial cast. Once the fly is aerial the caster shoots line as is appropriate for the cast on the forward and back cast and delivers the fly within two to three strokes.

GOOD ! I'D ADD, IF ASKED FOR MORE DETAIL, THE FACT THAT THIS METHOD ELIMINATES THE USE OF MULTIPLE BACK CASTS, TOO.

ONE OTHER THOUGHT: THERE ARE SEVERAL METHODS OF CONTROLLING THE LINE OUT OF THE ROD TIP BEFORE YOU CAST. YOU HAVE DESCRIBED THE USUALLY PREFERRED METHOD. OTHERS INCLUDE LEAVING THE LINE LOOSELY COILED ON THE DECK OF THE SKIFF, OR ALLOWING IT TO LIE IN THE WATER. THE LATTER CAN BE A PROBLEM, SINCE IT CAN CATCH WEEDS, SINK IF AN INTERMEDIATE LINE, OR DRIFT BACK WHERE IT CAN CATCH ON TRIM TABS OR AN ELECTRIC MOTOR, ETC.

REMEMBER: ON ANY, "EXPLAIN AND DEMONSTRATE" TASK, YOU MUST BE READY TO MAKE A DEMO WHICH WOULD BE EASILY SEEN AND UNDERSTOOD BY A STUDENT !

"Explain and demonstrate the casting technique used to cast a heavily weighted fly or sinking-tip line.

Answer: When casting a heavy fly the caster should open up their casting loops so that the weight of the fly or line does not shock the rod or kick. If the line is already out and the caster is retrieving the line it is often useful to roll cast the line to the surface before beginning the back cast. False casting should be kept to a minimum.

IF MORE DETAIL IS REQUESTED, YOU CAN GO IN TO A DESCRIPTION OF A CONTROLLED WIDE LOOP. NOT THE ONE MADE AS A BEGINNER MIGHT DO, BUT ONE IN WHICH THE CONVEXITY OF THE ROD TIP PATH IS MADE NEAR THE END OF THE STROKE. (MOST BEGINNERS PLACE EXCESSIVE CONVEXITY OF THE ROD TIP THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CASTING STROKE.)

"Explain and demonstrate "change of direction" casts," i.e., from a downstream position to an upstream presentation.

1. False Casting – Make sure body pivots during pause – Problems only works with room to back cast, takes time, angle of change for a beginner is very small and requires a lot of energy. ALSO ..... THIS CAN SPOOK EVERY TROUT IN THE POOL ! (GOOD TO START WITH THIS ONE )

2. Off Shoulder roll pickup – Off shoulder otherwise there would be a line collision, BE CAREFUL, HERE. (DEPENDS UPON WHICH DIRECTION YOU ARE CASTING WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIOR LAYOUT.)

3. V-Cast – Off shoulder pick-up with a haul 30 degree change of direction, strait line forward cast. It is basically a Belgium cast with a 30 degree change of direction.

THIS IS NOT A TRUE ELLIPTICAL OR, "BELGIAN" CAST UNLESS YOU CHANGE ROD PLANES BETWEEN THE BACK CAST AND THE FORWARD CAST.

4. Wye Cast – Originated on the River Wye which was the first catch and release river in the world. A low back cast with a haul to keep tension to a standard strait forward cast. THE, "WYE CAST" IS REALLY A PICKUP DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FIRST TARGET AND A TURN WHILE MAKING THE BACK CAST, FOLLOWED BY A DELIVERY TO THE NEW TARGET ON THE FORWARD CAST.

THE "WYE CAST", DIFFERS FROM THE NEXT ONE I'D DEMONSTRATE, WHICH IS TO POINT YOUR ROD AT THE NEW TARGET AND THEN MAKE YOUR BACK CAST 180 DEGREES FROM THE NEW TARGET AND THE FORWARD CAST RIGHT TO THE NEW TARGET.

WITH THE, "WYE CAST" YOU PICK UP 180 DEGREES FROM THE ORIGINAL TARGET. WITH THE OTHER, YOU PICK UP 180 DEGREES FROM THE NEW TARGET.

(YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE ASKED FOR A REFERENCE TO THE, "WYE" CAST. IT DOES APPEAR IN FRANK STEEL'S BOOK, FLY FISHING, PP. 46-47.)

6. Snap-T Spey Cast – Back cast line opposite the dangle as the middle portion of the line comes by the caster snap the rod down with a slight angle towards the initial fly position, the purpose is to place the fly in position for a single spey delivery. YES. IF ASKED FOR ONE ADVANTAGE, YOU MIGHT POINT OUT (AS SIMON GAWESWORTH DOES) THAT IN AN ENTIRE MORNING OF CASTING, THE USE OF THE SNAP T CAN RESULT IN A GREATER NUMBER OF PRESENTATIONS.

Note all Spey casts are change of direction casts Single Spey has a maximum change of direction of about 45 degrees while the double Spey, Snake roll, Perry Poke, Wye have a maximum change of direction of about 90 degrees. BE CAREFUL WITH THIS ANSWER. EXPERTS CAN MAKE A 90 DEGREE CHANGE OF DIRECTION USING THE SINGLE SPEY. (IN FACT I THINK THAT IS A REQUIRED TASK ON THE TWO HANDED CERT. EXAM.)

MOST EXAMINERS DO TAKE THE POSITION THAT A SPEY CAST IS A CHANGE OF DIRECTION CAST. YOU MUST BE AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT AN OCCASIONAL ONE MAY ASK YOU ABOUT A, "FORWARD SPEY" WHICH IS HOW A FEW DESCRIBE WHAT OTHERS CALL A, "SWITCH CAST"

ONE DEFINITION OF THE SPEY CAST WHICH SEEMS TO ME TO "COVER THE WATERFRONT" IS THIS : SPEY CAST: AN AEREOLIZED, LIVE LINE, CHANGE OF DIRECTION, ROLL TYPE CAST. EVEN HERE YOU COULD BE TREADING ON THIN ICE IF YOU CALL IT A ROLL CAST, SINCE SOME SPEY EXPERTS TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT WHILE MOST EMBRACE IT. (THAT'S THE REASON FOR MY INCLUDING THE WORD, "TYPE" .

WHEN QUESTIONED ON SPEY CASTS, BE SURE YOU KNOW WHEN TO USE A SINGLE OR DOUBLE SPEY BASED ON VARIOUS PARAMETERS SUCH AS: 1. WHICH BANK YOU ARE ON 2. AN UP STREAM WIND 3. A DOWNSTREAM WIND.

A COUPLE OF HELPFUL CAVEATS: 1. DOWNSTREAM WIND = DOUBLE SPEY. 2. DON'T EVER PLACE YOUR D-LOOP ON THE DAMNED WINDWARD SIDE. (SIMON HAS SOME MUCH MORE COMPLETE AND BETTER ONES.)

7. Snap Cast – Not Snap T – Similar to the Snap T but the snap is backwards C shape rod tip coming under the line to allow the line to straiten completely. YES. THE, "SNAP CAST" CAN BE A COOL PARLOR TRICK... ALSO CAN BE USED TO RETRIEVE YOUR FLY QUICKLY TO YOUR HAND. BEYOND THE, "COOL MOVE" IS THE USE OF THIS CAST IN ACTUAL FISHING. CAN YOU FIGURE A SITUATION WHEN YOU WOULD ACTUALLY USE THIS TO DELIVER A FLY TO A FISH ?

8. Parallel Cast or Water Haul – Lift the line slowly off of the water when just a foot or two of fly line is left on the water make a forward cast or off shoulder cast to the target. YES. ALSO KNOWN AS A, "TENSION CAST"

"Explain and demonstrate casting with a strong head wind, tail wind and wind from either side.

Answer: Head Wind - You must cast a tight loop aimed close to the water in a strong head wind. The trajectory of the casting stroke is high on back cast to low on the forward cast. This is sometimes called a Wedge Cast. In addition, it is very important to increase line speed with a double haul in a head wind.

YOU MIGHT ADD THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING BETWEEN YOUR BACK CAST AND FORWARD CAST. IF ASKED FOR MORE DETAIL, YOU MIGHT INCLUDE THE USE OF A WIDER LOOP ON THE BACK CAST TO ALLOW THE WIND TO ASSIST . MIGHT EVEN BE READY TO DESCRIBE THE, "THRUST CAST" (BORGER), ALSO KNOWN AS THE LEFTY KREH WIND CAST AND THE, "STORM CAST" OF CHARLES RITZ.

ALSO, KNOW ANOTHER ADDITION TO THESE TECHNIQUES : WHEN FALSE CASTING INTO A STRONG HEAD WIND, YOU MAY ELECT TO SLIP (SHOOT) VERY LITTLE LINE, ESPECIALLY ON FORWARD FALSE CASTS, AND THEN SLIP (SHOOT) MORE LINE ON YOUR VERY LAST BACK CAST PRIOR TO YOUR PRESENTATION .

What simple advice (no science or deep explanations) can you give someone when they can't get a tight enough loop to handle wind or gain distance?

I tell him: "Now try to hit the rod tip with your fly line." OK. BE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A SORT OF, "BAND-AID FIX" USED EFFECTIVELY BY LEFTY KREH.

The line and leader may pile up and not reach the target. YES. (SOME EXAMINERS LIKE THE TERM, "LOOP SPEED". AS YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT EXACTLY THE SAME THING, ALTHOUGH YOUR LOOP SPEED IS A MATHEMATICAL FUNCTION OF LINE SPEED.)

Tail Wind – The caster must cast tight loops and haul on the back cast in order for the back cast to straiten completely. YOU NEED A LOT MORE HERE. IT IS THE REVERSE OF WHAT YOU NEED FOR A CASTING INTO THE WIND. INCLUDE CHANGE OF TRAJECTORY, CHANGE OF TIMING, ETC.

From the casters line hand side, the caster will need to adjust their trajectory to the target and to cast low enough that the fly cast is not blown off target once it the fly is stops above the target. YES.

The problem with casting in a cross wind is that the fly (hook) can drift into the leader, the fly rod, or worst of all, the angler. The solution is to keep the fly on your off-shoulder. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. GOOD.

Side-arm Cast. Demonstrate. (A couple of key points you must remember to mention during demonstration include the level of wind, less than 10 mph, and casting in a horizontal plane requires higher line speed, so a double haul helps.)
Off-Shoulder Roll Cast. Demonstrate.
Tilt Cast off-shoulder. Demonstrate. (Only good for short distances.)
Across-the-Head Cast. Demonstrate. GET READY TO DELIVER MORE DETAIL ON THIS ONE. MAIN PRINCIPLE, HERE, IS THAT WITH THE, "ACROSS THE HEAD CAST" YOU CAN GAIN GREATER DISTANCE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF GREATER TIP TRAVEL (GREATER STROKE LENGTH AND ROD ARC.)
Belgian Wind Cast (Also good for casting large flies.) Demonstrate.
Barnegat Bay Cast. Face your back to the wind and use your back cast on the presentation. Demonstrate
Galway Cast. Demonstrate.
Change Hands—Switch rod to your off hand. Demonstrate.

SOME EXAMINERS WILL WANT YOU TO ADD THE VARIOUS SPEY CASTS IN RELATION TO THE WIND DIRECTION.

"Explain and demonstrate how to cast "parallel loops," i.e., loops in which the top leg of the loop is directly above the bottom leg, and explain why loops get "out of parallel," and why this is bad.

Answer: Parallel loops are formed when the rod tip follows a strait line path. Loops get out of parallel when the rod tip does not follow the strait line path in all plains.

The most common out of parallel loops are wide or open loops and tailing loops. If the rod tip follows a convex path the loops will get wider and wider as the path becomes more convex. This is the most common out of parallel loop problem for beginners.

If the rod tip follows a convex path the result will be a tailing loop, since the rod tip drags the line is below the strait line path and then back up the line is forced to cross itself. Most common cause is an abrupt application of power.

BE READY IN CASE YOU ARE ASKED TO DEMONSTRATE AN EFFECTIVE METHOD OF TEACHING THIS. MY PREFERRED WAY TO DO THIS IS WITH THE STUDENT USING A HORIZONTAL ROD PLANE, CASTING OVER A TAUGHT ROPE OR IN BETWEEN TWO TAUGHT ROPES STRUNG AT RIGHT ANGLES TO HIS FLY ROD.