Letters...

Walter & Group....

I get numerous letters each day on fly casting and fly fishing.... before I go on my trip, I thought I'd share a couple with you as the questions are very good and I hope my answers helpful.

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From Steven Mear :

 

Gordon,

I live in Norway, and wish to take the Masters (actually a retake as I took the test last year before I was really ready and with a heavy workload behind me).

 

One of the Dutch MIs suggested that I contact you for information about MI study. Do you know what is included in the MI study guide that is sold through the FFF website?

I also need a DVD that shows how to perform a saltwater cast: I live by a salmon river, have never cast from a boat in salt water and forget the Saltwater cast very soon after someone shows me it!

 

Any information you can offer would be gratefully received.

 

Regards

Steven Mear

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Steven....

 

Sheila Hassan, as I recall, came out with a video on the "Saltwater Quick Cast".

 

Perhaps you could contact her directly at:  sheila@xxxxxxxxxx   She is a member of our Master Study Group and a well accomplished Master Instructor.

 

The very best thing I've ever read on the subject is by Lefty Kreh in his recent book: CASTING WITH LEFTY KREH, Published by Stackpole Books, Copyright 2008 by Lefty Kreh, ISBN: 13-978-0-8117-0369-7, pp 376-384. 

 

 Very clear description and wonderful photographs by Jay Nichols.  Lefty calls this cast the "SPEED CAST".  He describes several ways of doing it.

 

SALTWATER FLY CASTING by George Roberts is another.  Both video (DVD) and book. (White Mouse Productions )

 

The Master Study Guide is a MUST for those studying for MCI Certification, in my opinion.  Lots of information including sample questions, study advice, and great references.

 

Let us know if you would like to join our Master Study Group.   No obligation, no money involved at all.  Participation optional.

 

Gordy

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From Tom Jindra:

 

Gordy:

I met a fellow last week with a torn rotator cuff and other injuries  
to his casting shoulder. I believe he said he is 72, and he's a solid  
caster. But he's unable to fish more than an hour before the pain  
forces him to quit. His doctors, meanwhile, have ruled out surgery for  
fear of making things worse.

The question: Is there a casting method that will take the pressure  
off this fellow's shoulder?

The only options I can cite are:

1) Lefty's advice to lock the elbow at your side and rock the body to  
control your stroke. This fellow is reluctant to do that because he  
fishes bonefish and fears the method will create too much commotion.

2) He might try a spey rod, but that's not likely to work well for  
bones. And I'm reluctant to suggest a switch rod, because I'm not sure  
I have confidence in them.

Regards,

Tom
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Tom....

 

I've caught my share of bonefish and do so on a regular basis all year.... still hold the 12 lb. tippet World record fish at 15 1/4 lbs.  (Caught that fish on a 7 wt. outfit.)

 

I'll be 79 in November, so I'm no spring chicken either..... and I occasionally have shoulder pain.  Here is what I do when my shoulder hurts:

 

First of all:  Unless he's fishing in the Bahamas or Central America where one casts to many small bones in the course of a day, he may well only make a few casts each hour because there is no need to make repeated "blind" casts when bonefishing.

 

1.  I DO use Lefty's method with minimal elbow/shoulder motion and greater body motion.  I have not found that it hampers my bonefishing.  This method (as you know) uses a low elbow technique.  I use a minimum number of false casts.  When fishing from a skiff, I sometimes keep the fly in the water and use a water haul for my first back cast then only one false cast before delivering the fly.

 

2.  In order to stay current with the new MCCI casting requirements, I've practiced and become much more efficient casting with my non-dominant hand.  Works fine for bonefishing.

 

3.  I use lighter tackle:  For me, a 5 wt. outfit works fine even on large bonefish.  I lighten the outfit even further by using one of the new light graphite fly reels with a rim drag.

 

Some will counter that using a 5 wt. on a salty flat in high winds is a problem.  I've found that after honing the principles of wind casting that I can handle these winds very well.  I find this easier when I use an intermediate sink fly line rather than a more air resistant floating line.

 

4.  When fighting a bonefish, I hold the rod in my non-dominant hand during the long runs.  If I don't do that, this puts a lot of pressure on my shoulder.

 

5.  I do more wade fishing for the bones ...... First of all, I love that.  Second, I can get a lot closer to them making long casts unnecessary.

 

6.  Although I have not actually done this for bones, I have found that two handed rods are much easier on my sore shoulder when salmon fishing.  The 11' stiff ones are fine for two handed straight line overhead casting.  I've also used this rod for striped bass.

 

Hope this helps !

 

Best,

 

Gordy

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Gordy:

Thanks, that's incredibly helpful.

I didn't know you hold the 12-pound-class record. I'm impressed. Hell, I would be impressed with that fish regardless of the class.

Regards,

Tom