Walter & Group....
From Tony Loader:-
----- Original Message -----From: Gordy HillTo: Tony LoaderSent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 12:45 AMSubject: Grip styles / QuizLoader & Group.....
Ally Gowans has pointed out that the term, "GRIP" may not be the best.
I agree that this term implies a firm hold on the handle of a fly rod. Of course, one of our teaching problems is that of the student who does just that and gains a, "death grip" on the cork in some cases leading to the detriment of the cast and wrist/hand pain.
The, "Moser" grasp which was yesterday's topic goes a long way to correct that. Once the student realizes just how much can be accomplished with this minimalist approach, the need for a tight hold dissolves.
In the past, we've discussed Joan Wulff's way of teaching the use of only enough tightness of grip to perform the mechanics of the cast......using momentary tightness of grip during periods of maximum acceleration to the stop. She has a half-moon shaped piece of dampened sponge placed between the student's hand and the cork. Water should only be squeezed out during what she calls, "the power snap".
Let's try to answer these questions:
1.) Name and describe 4 different, "grips".
- Key Grip - Thumb on top, forefinger extended below "opening the screen door" style of holding the rod
- V Grip - The Key Grip but with the wrist rotated counterclockwise ( for a right handed caster) so that the "V" formed by the thumb and forefinger points towards the caster's chin. Reel may be turned out slightly or hand shifted on the cork so as to keep the reel in the loop plane.
- Three Point Grip - Cork resting on the heel of the hand, with last three fingers curled below, forefinger and thumb each resting on the upper hemisphere of the cork thus forming a tripod with the heel of the hand.
- Finger Pointing Grip - As for the Key Grip but with the forefinger outstretched along the top of the cork and the thumb lying close beside the forefinger.
In all cases the rod should be aligned with the forearm.
2.) Which one would you choose for maximum distance casting with a 5 wt. outfit ?
The V grip - adequately strong and facilitates wide arc with good tracking and late rotation into the back cast.
3.) Which one would you choose for maximum distance with a 12 wt. outfit and a large tarpon fly ?
The Key Grip so as to make best use of the strongest available muscles for rod rotation.
4.) You are fishing a 2 wt. outfit for brookies in a windless situation requiring deadly accuracy. Which grip might you choose ?
The finger pointing grip would seem best suited to pin point accuracy.
5.) Go to the fly casting literature and provide a reference with picture of each of the, "grips" you chose in question 1.)
Key Grip - Master the Cast, George V Roberts Jr. page 17.
V Grip - The Essence of Fly Casting, Mel Krieger, opposite page 25.
Three Point Grip - Nature of Fly Casting, Jason Borger, page 46.
Finger Pointing Grip - Nature of Fly Casting, Jason Borger, page 44.
6.) What is your, "default grip" ?
The Key Grip.
7.) Why did you chose that one ?
It was the first grip I was taught, the only one I knew for many years and still works well for me.
8.) What grip do you choose for your beginning students ?
I attempt to demonstrate the various grips and explain their advantages/disadvantages and then have the student experiment if they will. I would recommend the Key Grip as a default.
9.) Where is Roberto Pragliola's TLT grip described ?
Nature of Fly Casting, Jason Borger, page 49.
10.) When might you consider having your student change his/her grip ?
If (s)he is using a demonstrably undesirable grip e.g. a "suitcase grip" or one which cannot align the rod with the forearm and/or are having difficulty forming loops possibly because of their preferred grip. e.g. I would recommend the Finger Pointing Grip temporarily if wristing is a problem.
11.) Can you come up with a better term than GRIP ???
For me also, the word "grip" connotes something firm or strong. The word "hold" is relatively synonymous but does not have such a connotation. I would typically want to add a qualification to "hold" to indicate strength e.g. "take a firm hold" might equate to "grip". If we were starting over I might vote for "hold" over "grip" in this context.
Gordy