I like to think of style as grip, stance, and body movements that we
use to execute the mechanics. I demo and explain basic styles to
my students and emphasize the freedom casters are permitted in selecting a style
as long as the mechanics are excuted well. I suggest they pick a style
that is both comfortable for them and best suits the purpose of the cast at
hand...the presentation needed for that moment. Factors affecting the
selection of the style for a particular cast include the need for accuracy,
distance, shape of the line layout, delicacy or stealthiness of
the presentation or lack thereof, and external factors such as wind velocity and
direction and obstacles to avoid or cast around, and in some
cases equipment considerations. I think all these factors should be
considered when casters choose a style for a particular presentation, although a
compromise will inevitably have to be made and i n some cases casters simply
can't execute a particular style due to physical limitations or lack of
skill.
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Gordy,
Trying to let things settle in here...
I like Paul's definition a lot. It let's us differentiate between
spey casting vs overhead casting as different styles and that's good. It
also helps to clarify some of the gray areas. I don't see that it let's
us differentiate between vertical (Joan Wulff) vs horizontal (Lefty) planes
as different styles because their substance elements are basically the same. I
would qualify Paul's definition to say that it refers to
"casting style" vs "individual style".
Individual style would refer to elements that give a caster a distinctive
look when casting and occurs
when a caster has a choice between ways of doing things. An example of
individual style would be
changing trajectories. I could simply change the path of my rod tip to
alter trajectory or by adding a
bit longer pause to allow the line to drop a bit. We could argue that
trajectory is required to achieve
distance or that timing is a substance element, but how I get to a
certain trajectory is open to choice
which would make the choice a style element.
Grip is definitely a gray area. Some casters are restricted in grip choice
due to physical issues. In
some cases grip doesn't have much impact on the cast. I know that Paul
likes to use a cradle grip
that allows him to get a bit of extra distance - since the cradle grip is
required to get maximum
distance it is a substance element for Paul's distance casting style
but would be individual style in
other situations.
Walter
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Walter... I still like the idea that what
you need to do to execute the mechanics of an efficient cast is
substance. How you do it I see as
style.
Gordy
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In this message, Al Crise tries to match style to the
way his student learns :
Howdy Gang
Sorry to be late getting back on this subject. Computer
problems.
When teaching I find that the style often has to match the Student's
learning style, Some need numbers and regamation . Others need to see the cast.
Some need the rhythm of the cast.
Each of these often require a different style of casting.
Overhead elbow first can have the numbers,, Sidearm to observe the
back cast. The rhythm of the cast cane be flelt by just a little off shoulder to
the 45 degree and an over weighted line for the rod.
So my style of teaching can better be said to fit the learing style
of the caster.
ol Al
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Elie is one of our new International Group
members, from Denmark. He has a good start by coming up with a reason for
change of style not yet discussed:-
Hi Gordy,
Just great to read all this. It sets my
mind to think and re-think about a lot of casting
issues.
My first attempt:
I would like to add: "to change style for
safety reasons":
2 simple examples comes quick to my
mind.
When casting big lures (saltwater) you won't
have these flies coming even in the near to you. You'd better be off with
a "Lefty Kreh" style.
When fishing with 2 people in a boat (eg:
"loch-style" flyfishing) you use a straight overhead cast not for yourself
but to protect your fishing buddy.
Regards,
Elie
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Hi Group,
As a guide and instructor I have found this year to be the
most interesting. I have taught all over the country which has given me
glimpses of different styles generally due to different fishing
conditions. I, like Paul, do not ask a student to change a style; I ask
then to try a new one usually relating to a certain fishing condition such
as:
I was fishing for redfish with a guide who only cast side
arm. He wanted to work on curve casts. I wanted to show him the
corkscrew curve cast and shoot the line and curve, this forced him to go more
vertical. Then to challenge him again I gave him a target 15 feet in front
of him, this too forced a more vertical approach. Then we discussed wind
from the casting arm side.
I fished many small, fast and turbulent streams during high
run off, my clients had to high stick to keep the fly line off the water.
Not only is this a vertical cast but a severe trajectory change as well.
Yesterday I went fishing on the Yellowstone with a 12 ft, 5
wht spey rod, wow now that was new for me. Last month I was Steelhead
fishing with a 14ft 9 wht spey rod. So many news things to try. To
be a top instructor we have to be aware of the “why” an angler chooses a certain
style. Then we may introduce something new if it useful to the
student. Especially when instructing fly fishing guides who generally fish
the same water often for many years. I have spent a great deal of time preparing
Guides who wish to get their CCI, they have their own reasons for doing things,
I like to listen carefully, I often learn something new. Just an FYI, the
guides I have worked with have all really enjoyed the CCI
program-GREAT!
The more fishing we do as instructors in different conditions
the better we will be at understanding style alternatives. In most cases
the 5 essentials are still the key elements of substance.
Molly Semenik
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Molly's last paragraph leads us
forward :-
Tomorrow : Let's start a new topic on SUBSTANCE
..
Question: What does the term
SUBSTANCE mean to you ?
Gordy