Walter & Group...
From Peter Morse:
Gordy, In Jason's images and most of this discussion it seems to me
that we are looking at SLP horizontally - from the side. Surely its
just as critical when viewed through the Z-Axis from either the front
or the rear - or is this just "tracking"?
Peter
Morse
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Peter: That does need clarification.
Technically, SLP means STRAIGHT LINE PATH OF THE ROD TIP IN ALL PLANES.
If we have true SLP, then is is as though the rod tip passes through an imaginary straight pipe with very small internal diameter.
The term "TRACKING" refers to the side to side deviation from this path. With perfect tracking, there is no deviation. Of course, this can only be seen from in front or behind or above the caster.
If we have poor tracking, yet SLP in only the vertical plane, then we could have a bystander wondering why the caster had what appeared to him to be a nice tight loop.... but it wouldn't go through a suspended hoop at the casting games.
A deviation from SLP in any plane can be desirable or undesireable depending upon the outcome desired. If we have absolutely no deviation from SLP, we'd have a collision between the fly line and the rod tip. Fortunately, in the real world of fly casting even the best casters have a tiny bit of deviation in the path of their rod tips.
We often purposely deviate from a straight line path of the rod tip ..... for example, when we cast a weighted nymph where it is often best to use a wide loop. This is done by casting with the rod tip traveling in a convex path. If we have too much convexity, then we might have an "open loop" or "no loop" which would result in no effective ability to propel the line.
By placing convexity in a chosen point in the rod tip path, we can accomplish diffrent things. Examples:
# Convexity placed all through the cast.
a. A very small amount prevents collision. It is used by most elite casters.
b. A lot of convexity yields a very wide loop (the way a beginning caster might do it.).
c. Convexity at the conclusion of tip travel, can yield a well controlled wide loop (such as that used for a weighted fly). The fly leg of the loop is fairly straight while the rod leg dips down.
d. Convexity applied at the beginning of tip travel, with SLP until the very end (with just enough dip - down of the tip to avoid collision) yields a loop the fly leg of which is way up in the air while the fly leg is more straight. This can be used to kite the fly line loop with a back wind.
Instructional practicum :
When teaching fly casting, we'll occasionally have a student who appears to have good tight loops which don't travel well enough to gain the desired and expected distance. The temptation is to suggest that more force be used. This is rarely the solution. If the instructor steps behind or in front of the caster, he sometimes finds that the problem lies in mal tracking yielding a loop which appears nice and tight from the side, but is actually wide in the horizontal plane.
Gordy
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PHYSICS
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As moderator, I see my task as an attempt to gain a reasonable commonality of opinion between opposing authors of the physical parameters of fly casting. To do that I need to ignore emotional statements and implications and try to understand both sides as best I can. To this end, I've had private messages and conversation behind the scenes.
I see no place for combat as we try to learn from one another.
I've had an explosion of negative messages on the physics series and need to deal with them carefully.
In order to avoid offending any of you who are simply not concerned with the details of fly casting physics, I'll place the long dissertations as attachments so you can choose to review them or not. I've had so many, that I doubt I can include them all. For that I beg your understanding.
Gordy
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Brief comment in this direction by Bruce Richards:
Comments re: Servers below... I think I see what is
happening now,
Server has been focusing on the rod tip all along while the
rest of us have
been thinking of acceleration and deceleration as angular
motion of the rod
butt....
Bruce
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We're beginning to come together ! G.
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From David Diaz:
"Troy: I guess the epitome of the "soft stroke" is the one we use to yield what many term the "negative curve cast" or the "decelerating curve cast". Obviously, the caster has to have some acceleration in the beginning of the stroke, then "softens" it by bringing it to zero followed by a period of negative acceleration. An "underpowered" curve layout occurs, but no true loop formation at or near RSP.
This is usually a cast which gains little distance and isn't easy to control, especially if its windy.... but it has its uses on the stream in windless weather when a short curve with gentle and not necessarily accurate presentation is desired. "
Gordy, this is a way of casting I use a lot for
dry fly fishing in some streams, particularly when I want to present the fly in
the "V" created behind a boulder or if I want the fly dragging along a bank but
with a slower pace than the current. As you said it isn't easy to control, yes
if all the job is done only by the rod-hand, less difficult if you create the
loop and control the shooting (slowing down or anticpating) with the left hand.
In this way you can be precise and get an accurate presentation. Coordination of
both rod and left hand can make a wide range of underpowered curve casts
Best Regards
Raf
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Raf.... Never thought of that! Thanks. I'll try it.
Gordy
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From Server as he answers us by comments in your text.doc
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Walter.doc
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Gordy.doc
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Hi Gordy.doc
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