Quick (Speed) casts / Flycasting literature

The contributions to this topic included much that I could not find in my library. Thanks for putting the question to the group.

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I have done a lot of reading and research to try to find more on this subject as we try to literally exhaust it. I found very little.

Most of the information on this topic has been passed down by word of mouth, hands-on teaching and the excellant instruction given on the water while fishing by our best salt water skiff guides. ........not by books. Pete Greenan has pointed out that the little bit which did appear in the fly casting literature was considered suspect by some because the writings were by folks who were primarily known for their expertise in non salty venues.

By far the best writing I could find didn't appear until this year. This is Lefty Kreh's CASTING WITH LEFTY KREH, pp. 373-384. Stackpole Books, ISBN - 13: 978-0-8117-0369-7.

Lefty asked me to privately critique it in terms of any differences of opinion. I spent a long time doing that during which I was delighted with it in every way. We had some differences with regard to a couple of things, though my final conclusion was that most of these were different ways of describing the same thing. His use of different word pictures was frankly refreshing !

His descriptions are made with clear, simple language. It's hard to do that when writing about some casting information which is complicated and not otherwise easy to understand.

The text is accompanied by photographs done by Jay Nichols. They depict Lefty, himself, doing the casts and set-ups. They are of professional quality. They perfectly depict the subject and match the headings.

My opinion is that this book belongs in the library of every dedicated teacher of fly casting.

Lots of great casting information here !

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In line with our discussions, above, we have this entry by Pete Greenan. (For those of you who may not know, Pete is a Master, President of our FFF Florida Council, and an expert salt water fishing Capt. ) Gordy

Gordy,

I have filled out these questions but I don't believe they are good ones. My first thought is the reference to the authors. I don't believe enough has been written that is dead on target and the authors may not be the authority on the subject. For instance, the deck and the cockpit are two different places and no reference is made to using a line tamer. There are a few more too.

Pete

Note the brevity of Pete's answers :

1.) Do you ever hold the fly in your rod hand when setting up for the salt water quick-cast ?

a. yes

2.) Why ?

b. control

3.) How do you position the hook relative to your hand / fingers ?

a. bend away

4.) Why ?

safety

5.) Do you ever avoid holding the fly, and hold the leader instead; allowing the fly to dangle ?

6.) Why ?

no control, no safety

7.) Do you consider this cast strictly for salt water use ?

8.) When (if ever) would you use it when fishing fresh water venues ?

sight fishing for carp!

9.) List a minimum of three reasons for using this cast when fishing from the deck of a flats skiff.

a.line control, speed of fly to target, accuracy

10.) After reading our messages on this subject, and going to the fly casting literature, list the number of noted casters who sometimes hold the fly in the rod hand when using this cast.

no research

11.) In the fly casting literature, there is one author who has described three different variations of this cast. Who is that ?

don't know

12.) If you were able to answer question 9.), cite your reference including page numbers.

no reference - experience only

13.) Would you ever modify your salt water quick-cast because of wind direction and strength ?

yes

14.) If you answered YES to question 11.), tell us when and how.

I would roll cast backward with the wind in my face.

15.) Craig Buckbee has called attention to what he calls a "clearance cast". What do you think that might be ?

a cast that is made prior to set-up in order to place line on the deck in reverse order

16.) Why do that ?, less tangling

17.) BRIEFLY list the challenges or difficulties you would face when using this cast while wading a flat.

Line drag

18.) BRIEFLY list the basic changes you would make when leaving the skiff deck and wading a flat and using a modification of this cast.

none

19.) Name one author who uses a different name for this cast.

no clue

20.) What does he/she call it ?

no clue

21.) When fishing from the deck of a flats skiff, would you use this cast for all fishing situations ?

22,) You are set up for a salt water quick cast, and are looking for bonefish to your left. Suddenly, your guide tells you that there is a fish approaching rapidly from behind you. Your guide has no time to turn the skiff. What do you do ?

back cast, switch hands, Galway cast, etc.

23.) List 3 different ways to position and control the line out of the rod tip when using this cast from the deck of a skiff.

forward, back ward, to side

24.) List at least 3 different ways to control the shooting line between the reel and the first stripper guide in this situation.

make a circle with thumb & one finger, Let line shoot over open hand, crouch

25.) We have been talking about flats fishing. Would you ever use this cast when fishing from a skiff in deep water ?

yes

Pete