When to introduce the use of the line hand ?

Gordy I think the introduction of the line hand depends on the student . But generally I like to introduce it by the 2nd or 3rd lesson.

I used to hold off and follow a lesson plan that took them through the steps with the line hand being introduced a little later maybe the 4th or 5th lesson . This would work but I found some students were ready for steps before I anticipated they should be .

I have now taken the tact that within 2nd or 3rd lessons they are using the line hand .

I have a group of students at this time and we are in their 3rd session. They have started on basic hauls ( single and for some double. ) .

I don't want anyone to think they are are actually doing these hauls with ease but the point is, I think for some the introduction of the line hand if managed properly can be a great tool.

Gordy I guess I misunderstood the question.

Again I think my answer is the same . By the 2 nd or 3rd lesson I have them hold the line in hand close to the rod . I show them the error of inducing slack into the cast by allowing the line hand to wander away from, and back to the rod.

I want new casters to understand that there is more to casting than just the rod hand ..This for the most part has been successful.

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Hi Gordy,
Well, I guess that I am in the "other school". After an introduction of the various grips I have my students choose which grip they want and then lock the line under a finger (s) of the rod hand. As you know I prefer to use Bill Gammel's horizontal teaching method so the students can see the loop formation. I want my students to be comfortable with their ability to form loops. We proceed to false casting horizontally and then change the rod plane and rotate a quarter turn to be casting upright. At this point I go back to the basic loop formation(making a loop and letting it fall but providing tension with the line hand) in the horizontal position and add the use of the line hand, how to pick up a "dropped" line (and some practice with the eyes closed). I think that it is one less thing for the student to think about initially when learning to make and control loops. As they are fairly proficient at making loops at this point they can concentrate more on the line hand and the subtleties that go along with it. Style plays some role in this as some individuals prefer to keep their hands equi-distant while others let them come apart somewhat. I do think that the line hand does have to follow the rod hand somewhat or the student is more prone to getting slack in the line. It just seems like a natural progression to me. From here with the student comfortable using his line hand it is on to shooting line to a lay down and regrasping at that point to get in practice for the actual fishing situation (hopefully I am not the only one who still lets go inadvertently and drops my O-ring on occasion), and on from there. [As an aside as students get better control I have them try one handed casting with shooting line and controlling it with just the rod hand while false casting in preparation for carrying more line to make a longer cast and not relying on a haul. It seems to help with convincing them that just coming to a good stop will result in a pretty nice cast without a super effort but that is a topic for another day. ] I am interested in hearing how others teach the use of the line hand and when it is introduced.
Jim

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From Dan Pangaldi :-

Gordy & Jim

I will discuss and demonstrate the utilization of the line hand during the early portion of the first lesson, when I'm introducing terms and covering basic fly casting/fishing with the student. This will familiarize them with components we will revisit later.  They have to use their line hand to strip line in to remove slack or shorten their line from time to time, so they learn a portion of its use immediately. I've found that it's fun for the student to pretend their stripping in a fly. After working on the basic casting stroke with one hand and if the student understands and is progressing, I will have them utilize their line hand working towards using it all the time. Alternating is a method that some students benefit from.

Thanks,

Dan Pangaldi
CCI

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From Craig Buckbee :-

students that fail to understand tension shall be refered to as 'slackers'.

craig

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From Rene Hesse:-

Newbe; 'trap' line with your rod hand, and hold the line about 6 inches below that 'trap' with line hand and lets learn to make nice loops at 30 ft. (SSSPP is enough to think about until the make the loops)*

Nice loops; now let go of the 'trap' of line with rod fingers and maintain distance between hands with line hand and rod hand during the casting stroke. (Get them used to feeling the tension of the line)

Longer casts; longer stroke but now keep the line hand about 6 inches in front of your chest. As your body flows to make a longer cast, let your hand flow with your body and stay in front of your chest.

(If I am teaching a long stroke, I want them to think about the casting arm motion and not how to contort their body to reach back with it)

* SSSPP- Bill Gammels essentials

Cheers,

Rene

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Comment: This technique does two things. First, it does anchor the line onto the cork grip so that the new caster does not introduce slack by inapropriate use of the line hand.

Second, by having the student hold the line a few inches from the trapped line on the cork, it serves to teach the following of the butt section of the rod with the line hand while casting.

Gordy

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From Ken Cole :

Evening Gordy

I don't introduce the line hand till the student can form a good loop at 30'. I will have them first make a pick-up-and-lay-down one-hand-shoot, and THEN I'll bring in the other hand. I tell the student to place the line hand a little bit down and to the inside of the rod hand, and when the rod hand moves, the line hand moves with it, keeping the same spacial distance. This lessens the chance of wrapping the line around the rod butt. It also seems easier to transfer the timing of a shoot from one hand to the other. Sort of letting the rod hand teach the liner hand what to do.

I also don't teach the student false casting till they get to this point. I figure they have enough problems.

Ken Cole

Texas Fly Fishing Outfitters

FFF/Certified Casting Instructor

214 969-1030

ken.cole@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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From Al Crise:-

Gordy

On Last weeks question. I teach one hand at a time. I do not introduce the line hand until I have loops in both directions.

When I add the line hand, it is at first just tracking with the rod hand.

Then the Shoot by using the thumb as a switch to move off the line form a loop to allow the line to flow through when the switch is opened. Close the switch do not open until AFTER the stop.

The haul is added when the line is shooting at least 5-6 ft. This is my tell tail as to the student being able to form loops. As the haul adds less then 10% to the cast. They have to have good loops. Now in teaching the haul I do address the "short haul/short line" and do it on the ground to the side to show the timing. Saying "The Rod gives direction the Haul adds the line speed".

ol Al

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From Tony Loader:-

Hi Gordy,

Initially I ask the student to form loops with a fixed amount line trapped under the finger of the rod hand so as to remove one variable.

I ask them to keep the line hand within about a foot of the rod hand at all times however, so that when line handling is introduced, the line hand is used to being held in about the right place.

As soon as the student is able to form good loops I introduce the line hand by asking the student initially to just hold the line in that hand while false casting a short line then to attempt to shoot a short length (less than a yard) of line on the forward cast.

When they can do this I introduce retrieves and changes of direction. They then have the basic skills required to go fishing.

Regards,

Tony.

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NOW... I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM JIM VALLE TO GAIN HIS OPINION.

Gordy