Reach cast / line hand introduction / wader safety

Walter & Group........

From Phil Gay........

Gordy,

 

    If one actually stops the rod for a period of time the reach cast is poorly executed as there will be a short straight section in the line and or leader.  This straight section be pulled out but I consider that bad technique in the attempt to achieve a straight line from the rod tip to the fly.  When I teach this cast I advocate never stopping the rod.  I have the student make an "L" in the air with the rod tip.  I believe this is a reach cast  because the loop and therefore the direction of the cast  is determined at the poiint the rod stops going forward.  This a defacto stop.  A reach  mend can be made after the line is on the water or while it is still in the air.

 

    Just my thoughts as this is a cast I live with on a daily basis.

 

Phil

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Phil...

 

Done the way you describe, it surely is a REACH CAST, because you make both the forward move and the side sweep as a continuous operation. Yours is a nice refinement which works very well and is probably the best way to teach it. 

 

You are correct in that if I stop and hesitate before making the side sweep, the layout is as you describe.  The longer the hesitation, the worse the layout.

 

Having said all that, however, I can make a stop and IMMEDIATELY make my side sweep as I slip line and come out with a perfect layout, too. When I do that, I consider I've made a REACH MEND. 

 

Gordy

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From Steve Hollensed on when to introduce the use of the line hand :-

 

Hi Gordy,

 

With respect to when to introduce the line hand - from a teaching perspective, I like to put the topic within the broader concept of a "line anchor".

 

For beginners, I initially progress through stance, grip, then anchor - stating that we can create an anchor with either our line hand or our rod hand. And that we will progress from a rod hand anchor to a line hand anchor. And I tell them that an anchor is a requirement for a good cast (elimination of slack) etc.

 

I believe that starting with a rod hand anchor eliminates variables for the new caster and that they develop a feel for tension and rod loading faster.  

 

After they are forming decent loops with decent tension between the tip and loop face during false casting, I then ask them to transfer the line from the rod hand to the line hand. I demonstrate the extremes of 1) holding the line low and in front showing how that can produce slack and is thus a "cast killer" and 2) where the line hand moves as if fixed to the rod hand and how uncomfortable that can be.  So I then ask them to find a line hand position somewhere between the 2 extremes AND still maintain the same tension and rod loading they felt when they were using a rod hand anchor.  

 

So, I put the line hand issue within the bigger concept of line anchor and to me this is linear, sequential teaching that makes the role of the line hand more relevant.

 

Steve     

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Our answer requested, from Jim Valle:-

 

Gordy & Group

 

First, Wading safety dialogue was tremendous and as always I also learned a few things. The talent we have in the group is a tremendous resource.

My thoughts… from an instructors responsibility to his/her students point of view.

1.       Stay Calm…

2.       I wear a wading belt and don’t plan to take it off or loosen it until I am out of the water.  You can maneuver with waders on…

3.       If I take the plunge … in a river I will keep my feet downstream, just like a rip don’t fight the current work gently to its edge…stay on my back and work toward the shore, where I can crawl out or get on my back lift my legs etc to drain water …and!

4.       I carry a knife that is operable and readily accessible with one hand… in case I have to cut my way out of any lines, mono  or waders etc… (I just found one that has a safety latch and can be opened with the thumb of one hand) I think this was not emphasized enough… goes for any fishing even on a boat and  especially for salt water fishing.

5.       I might consider tossing my rod on the bank or into bushes with the hope of recovering it later… ( although there were some great thoughts about holding on to it)  

6.       Neoprene waders do have some floatation

7.       Students who have a fear of the water should be made aware of and possibly invest in inflatable life vests

8.       Carry a wading staff …. Absolutely!!! and use it to get out of trouble not to get in deeper! (fly rods can offer some help as wading support)

9.       Good idea to fish with a buddy whenever possible!

This is not a total listing … just my summary and thoughts ….

 

One Question for Gordy….

No one discussed the stand still and don’t move tactic for sharks… I seem to remember a story about 2 guests on a flats boat in the keys … boat was aground and the guests were asked to lighten the load and wade (tow) the boat out…. My plan was always to “Freeze” regardless of the type of shark and other than “staining the water” just stand still…. Rather than struggle to get back up in the boat….tantalizing the critter with wiggling legs…. Like they do in the movies (Jaws) …. Your thoughts?

Jim .... I have done that many times.  Works.  Once, in the Bahamas, I did that as a big lemon shark approached My buddy panicked and ran to the skiff ... the shark followed him and as he climbed aboard, the critter came up and took the rubber heel off his sneaker !  I simply waited for him to leave, and slowly waded to the skiff.

Re sharks ..... check out the attachment.  While I seriously doubt the veracity of the story, the pics are impressive. (Our own Jim Phillips sent it.)

Gordy

 

 Second, Introduction of the Line Hand:

My experience has been that the introduction of the line hand to a new caster creates an unnecessary variable…and introduces slack …typically on the forward cast… Additionally I cannot find one significant benefit from the early introduction of the line hand…

My preferred (personal) method is

1.       Basic cast (line trapped by index finger of the rod hand)… till good loops at 30 feet

2.       False casting (line still trapped)

3.       Shooting line by releasing and pointing the index finger

4.       Introduction of the Line Hand

5.       Then increase to 40+ ft of aerialized line

6.       Now they will appreciate the haul …but don’t have to rely on it!

 

Note: This(1-4)  may all happen in one lesson, and typically does in a private lesson…. Ultimately this is determined by the individual student, In group lessons there is too much to watch for as it is without the addition of an unnecessary variable .

 

When I introduce the line hand I make sure the student understands the potential for slack between the stripping guide and the line hand… and how it will happen.

 

There are a couple of ways to teach this

I prefer the Keep the hands together i.e. maintain the same relative position of both hands, some students feel this is awkward but that usually doesn’t last too long.

 

The  alternative is to maintain a “line hand” position that is equidistant from the “plane of the STROKE” …  Kind of an equilateral triangle( actually more like an arc) between the line hand point … the backcast stop point …the forward cast stop point  in other words… the ends of the stroke …. This requires a continuity of stroke length and some line hand adjustment  which is hard to achieve for a new caster… If the stroke length changes and the line hand remains in the same position Slack will be introduced into the cast… eliminating the tension … rod load and thus kills the cast.  If the line hand doesn’t move some there will be some minor slack in the middle of the stroke… a balancing act…

 

Personally I don’t like this later method as a teaching tool… although if you watch other casters or even your own casts…  you will see they/we all do it … we can because we have learned to “Feel the Tension” and make adjustments to the line hand  automatically, new casters simply can’t do that yet.  This gives a misconception to your students as they cannot detect the small automatic tension adjustments.

 

Hope that provides some food for thought,

 

Jim V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Attachment: A pet shark! this is amazing.email
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