MCCI Exam castilng tasks / CREEP, more.

Candidates must understand that the exam tasks will periodically change as will their interpretation by examiners. The individual testing techniques of the various lead examiners (CBOG) may be seen as examination style. I think that is a healthy scenario which avoids rigidity and stagnation.

The MCCI Testing Committee and the CBOG are working to make the exams more objective and uniform to a reasonable degree. That takes time and will be a work in progress as we strive to become better examiners.

What I have sent to you is the best I can come up with as current OPINION .... not just mine, but those of three CBOG members intimately involved in the MCCI exam process and its ongoing revision.

I have done this so that you candidates will have direction to guide you as you practice and prepare.

These individual and composite opinions are just that. They are NOT a final product which even once gained as the CBOG approves the final recommendation of the Committee will be subject to future change.

Where controversy or uncertainty exists or appears to exist on casting tasks, ALWAYS PRACTICE BOTH OR MULTIPLE METHODS and become proficient in both or all.

1.) Learn at least 3 different methods of making curve casts. Learn all of these methods so that you can perform each in right as well as left directions, at different distances. Include "overpowered" and "underpowered" methods in each direction.

2.) Learn to do roll casts on water and on grass using static (dead line) back loops on the bank as well as, "live line" roll casts where the back cast loop is dynamic ("switch casts"). Include roll casts performed for maximum distance with moderate well controlled effort, employing high loop speed, a single haul, rod tip way back, greater amount of line behind for max load ..... with and without a live line back loop.

3.) Learn at a minimum, 6 different ways of performing change of direction casts. Include 180 degree change of direction casts.

4.) Be able to demonstrate at least 8 different ways of casting with wind from your casting arm side.

By doing this, you are in a position to do anything your examiner asks of you after obtaining final clarification of the method on site.

Rather than be hard nosed about single task requirements, most examiners, I think, are looking for an overall impression as to whether you are an outstanding instructor or not, in the final analysis. At least that is my bottom line.

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I seem to remember the one a few days ago poses the question of would you ever want to use it? I would say for the right scenario YES. One reason would naturally be to demo it to the class/student. Here is another from a fishing scenario -the constant tension style of casts for changes in direction of layout would also be a great example. Here is the exercise, go out with 40 feet of line and scribe the complete horizontal circle with the rod tip around the body. If you do not creep, you loose touch with the end of the line because constant tension was not maintained. Some great input on corrections posted today! I thought the original post asked this question when you would use it/if ever. If I am mistaken just disregard this message.

The easiest way to teach it (the student can figure out direction quickly) would be to say all negative casts fail to straighten/all positive casts kick. The direction comes about from definitions (I used to use end line/ main line) for describing this for my casting schools. The terms were not used before that in any of my casting literature. Rod leg/ fly leg works fine for me as well. It gets folks thinking which tends to be the goal often times. Loop plane is where the direction will be determined. By describing these casts further, we get into many other terms like rod fade, rod arc, etc.. used to describe each one. Loop plane should be a simple definition with little to disagree on- the airspace the loop occupies? Whatever the loop plane it still has one side attached to the fly and one end attached to the rod. The reason I have gone on a bit of a tangent here is that we often still see folks describing it only with a direction of left or right. The confusion arrises then if they are a lefty or a righty, on side, off side, etc...? The myriad of casts which utilize this become endless. Each and every casts one ever makes has either negative, positive, or normal force (a line that straightens)-one of these must exist. Much of the teaching today has a strong emphasis on getting it to straighten-normal.

Here is the irony of all of this. While learning as a beginner, one has lousy casts which dump the line on what they percieve as lousy casts -yet they generate tons of strikes with the lousy casts because it has necessary slack. Hence, lots of missed fish typically, unless they are the exception. They spend much time perfecting it to straighten while practicing on grass and begin to throw textbook lazer loops straight as an arrow. Now they go a long time with no strikes because the fly drags all of the time. If they do not quit the sport from frustration, they may go on to learn more and begin to control just what is going on? Once they can throw all of these layouts on the stream without thinking about them, they get rewards-fish!! Kind of an incredible journey thing.

Gordy,

I have read many that included the drift so far, and, a few others I did not think of.

What about the "stab" ? The "Lefty Stab". Kind of a drift to the extreme!

Brian

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Brian.... I was waiting for that one .... answer is a resounding, YES.

Three methods of INCREASING the available stroke length, rod arc, and tip travel for the next stroke are also excellent, "cures" for the tendency to creep. They are:

1.) Back Drift (We've already discussed that one at length.)

2.) Back STAB. (Also known as, "Lefty's Stab").

This is NOT drift. Done as Lefty and Ed Jaworowski teach it, one does not stop and then drift back. Rather, the stop is made with the rod as far back as you can get it. (Remember my comments on Ed's article entitled, "Forget the Drift" ?)

3.) Lay Back. Popularized by Gary Borger, the caster makes the stop at the chosen level, then literally lays the rod back so the tip is pointing way back toward the unrolling back loop. No thrust back as with 1.) and 2.) .

Having said all this, we must remember that these maneuvers actually resist the tendency to creep. They don't cure it in every instance. Why ? ..... because it is possible to back drift, stab or lay back and then creep. Fortunately it is rare to find a student doing that, but it does happen.

Gordy

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From Robert Shigley:

Hi Gordy;

The FFF's booklets on preparing for the CCI test makes it clear in it's listing of definitions the difference in creep from drift. It seems that many answers you are getting are describing the two as one in the same. Creep is not good as there is slack in the line before initiating the cast and drift is OK as the rod arm is tracking or following the path of the back cast further back preparing for a longer forward cast. Am I on track?

robert
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Robert.... You are not fully on track, but getting close. Here is why:-

Neither CREEP or DRIFT introduce slack as usually performed.

CREEP: Is movement opposite the direction of an unrolling loop.

DRIFT: Is movement in the direction of an unrolling loop.

CREEP: Reduces available stroke length, rod arc and tip travel.

DRIFT: Increases available stroke length, rod arc and tip travel.

CREEP: Is involuntary, most of the time.

DRIFT: Is purposefully done most of the time.

CREEP: Is most often detrimental to the cast.

DRIFT: Is most often beneficial to the cast.

Conclusion: CREEP is the antithesis of DRIFT.

Gordy

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