Curves / Books / QUESTION

On teaching "practicing" a curve cast;

Let the student 'win' for a while---remove or shorten the leader to 3-4 ft. (more kick) and remind them to add a little as they get better.

Recommend they place 'ring' to cast around (25 ft) and a fish (coke bottle on side...) to cast the yarn to.

@2 ft behind and to the other side of the ring.

I've noticed most students (okay my self too) start to cheat and try to cut the angle. Remind them to make the back cast (on over powered curve) 180 degree from the ring. People tend to start aiming out to the side thinking they can cut the corner.

I like to show students an underpowered curve so they have an idea what it is.

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Rene: Useful tips for the powered ("positive") curve casts.

That short leader will "kick over" even better if it has no significant taper.

After the student gets confidence casting with those leaders, he need to learn to do it with leaders used for actual fishing. Also, once curve casts are learned with a weighted fly, the student must graduate to making them with an essentially weightless fly .... like a dry fly with he hook bend snipped off (for safety reasons.)

Having just used the term, I'm sure you know that I really don't like the use of the words, "positive" and "negative" to describe powered and underpowered curve casts. Main reason is that when discussing curves, the term "positive" can also mean a curve cast with a layout with the fly placed in the direction opposite that of that of the casting arm and "negative" a presentation in the opposite direction.

On an MCCI exam, I'll try to make it as clear as I can to avoid any confusion. I may ask it this way: " Explain and show us a curve cast with the fly going to the left (or right)."

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From Gary Meyer My brief comments in his text in italics. G. :

Gordy,

Could you or Mac expound a bit on curves from the snap and curves from

deliberate tails?

Let's have Mac expand on this, since he brought it up. This is highly specialized casting falling within the parameters of his term, "enlightenment casting". I'll just say that the same principles apply as with any curve cast. The tip has to finish going to one side or the other. In the case of the tail, it has to finish going up as well as to one side. G.

And maybe, too, could either of you suggest how to get a copy of Mac's

book? The last time I checked it isn't even in the library at the

IGFA... my ace in the hole for out of print books!

The librarian at the Elwood Harry library at the IGFA can sometimes get hard to find books upon request. This one has a Library of Congress Catalog Card Number (97-90698) Other vitals: TITLE: Casting Angles. Author: Brown, James McLeod. Copyright 1997 by Mac Brown ISBN: 1-890485-00-4. HIGHLAND PRESS, 191 WESSER HEIGHTS DR., BRYSON CITY, nc 28713 (828) 488-8975 G.

Might also try Bob Rumpf of our group. He's been great at finding these hard to get books from the past.

His address: caddis@xxxxxxx .

Once in a while a copy of a hard to find book pops up on Amazon.com .

I've occasionally found a hard to fine book at Adams angling, Fishing & Hunting Books, Angling Paraphernalia, 1170 Keeler Ave., Berkeley, Ca 94708. I'd sure try Bob Rumpf first, though, as Adams sometimes charges a great deal while Bob is very fair with his prices.

Mac may be able to help with this request, too. (????????) G.

One fun way I teach and suggest practicing curves is to use the usual

"hula hoops". I place one directly behind another and challenge the

student to put the fly in the furthest hoop without touching the closer

one with line or leader. Lots of fun... and great accuracy practice

for curves and reach.

This has been an effective technique for the casting games at the Conclaves, and I've seen it used at the ACA events as well. G.

On bowing on the take...

Winter snook are infamous for sometimes being too lethargic to eat.

Other times, they will follow a fly slowly and appear to be just

opening their mouth behind the fly, but still not eating. Frustrating!

I found out that they are actually trying to "suck in" the fly! Maybe

they can't muster the energy to overtake it... or maybe they don't

expect the small, slowly moving bait to be attached to a leader?

Whatever the reason, bowing and feeding slack at the right time will

result in the fly disappearing into that big ol' mouth!

Yes, indeed ! G.

Gary Meyer

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QUESTION

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Your student has learned to make both powered and underpowered curve casts. Now she wants you teach her how to make a right angle HOOK CAST. How do you do that ?

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