AWAY / Master quest / Group update / "Zebra" lines

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After I return, we'll have a session on Spey casting and Spey (Two handed) fly lines. In preparation for this, consider reading Simon Gawesworth's book, SPEY CASTING, 2004, ISBN 0-8117-0129-8. Good basic info. on Spey lines, pp. 269 - 276. Also, TWO-HANDED FLY CASTING Spey Casting Techniques, by Al Buhr (Chairman of our CBOB Two Handed Committee). (Al makes a couple of interesting observations on fly lines on p. 8.)

Al has also agreed to prepare a message for us on lines used for two handed fly casting when he returns from his trip.

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Hi, Gordy

I noticed a lot of orange fly lines at the conclave. Who makes the orange line? What kind of line would you recommend. [ For taking the Master skills test.]

Gordy I can?t tell you how much I enjoy your study group. I felt I was on a lost island and no fly rod.

I am starting on the ground floor. When I went to the Conclave I was not going to work on the masters.

With the help of the study group and the new friends I have made I think it can be done.

Gordy what books would you recommend. I know there is a list on the FFF web site. I am looking

for one or two that would help me the most.

Thanks, Steve White

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Steve:

Let me encourage you to take your Master journey all the way !

On lines:

The reason for using blaze orange lines is to have them contrast with the surroundings so that they are more visible to the caster during practice and to students. When taking an exam, the fact that they are more visible to the examiners goes a long way to prevent a request for repetition for what might have been a perfect cast in the first place.

Most of the ones I use have been available from Scientific Anglers. I recommend their XXD line for practice and testing or the newer S.A. Expert Distance Lines.

I think the ideal line for this purpose would be that S.A. Expert distance line dyed blaze orange in a 7 wt. designation. I don't know if 3M is making this line at present. I'll ask Bruce Richards about that today.

Some of my blaze orange long belly lines were made by Rio. I think they were called the DISTANCE lines. They also have a long belly which is great for both distance casting and roll casting.

Reading/study materials:

Notice I didn't say "books". That is because there is so much golden information to be gained by reading the past and present articles in the LOOP as well as those carefully chosen for the Master Study Guide (Both available on line at the FFF Website). (LOOP: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/loop.php )

I remember well asking Gary Borger (CBOG) many years ago for his advice on how I should begin to prepare for the Masters exam. He told me that the first thing I should do, is to build a library...... then he sent me a list of several recommended books. Testimony to his modesty is the fact that he omitted his own book, PRESENTATION, which I think is one of the very best.

You have the Study Guide list of books, so I'll not repeat that here. Of these, I would begin by concentrating on these:

1.) PRESENTATION by Gary Borger. *

2.) Joan Wulff's FLY CASTING TECHNIQUES. **

3.) MODERN FLY LINES by Bruce Richards ( Part of the Lefty's Little Library series ).* **

4.) THE ESSENCE OF FLYCASTING by Mel Krieger.

5.) CASTING WITH LEFTY KREH by Lefty Kreh.

6.) FLY CASTING: A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH by Sheila Hassan. ***

7.) Jason Borger's NATURE OF FLY CASTING by Jason Borger ****

* Unfortunately, two of the most valuable books (I consider both to be mandatory reading) are no longer in print and not easy to find. I'd start with Bob Rumph who is a book dealer with our Group . (caddis@xxxxxxx) His prices are more than fair for our members and he has a flair for finding these books. Also, every once in a while one of them crops up in the Amazon.com list of used books.

Your local librarian may be able to order in books for you to study while you are searching for your own copies. (I used the IGFA library while taking the time to find some of the out of print books or some which were not only out of print but much too expensive such as Ernest Schwiebert's two volume tome, TROUT.)

** We've been leaning heavily on Bruce Richards to come up with a reprint, a revised edition of his Modern Fly Lines or a new book altogether. Now that he has just retired from 3-M I think he'll have the time and is likely to take the bait. Bruce has also indicated that he's spend time writing a new book on fly casting mechanics. He is uniquely qualified to do that.

I've just submitted a brief contribution to Joan Wulff for use in her new book. She has been working hard on this. It will be an update of her 1987 book.

*** I particularly liked the way Sheila Hassan has concentrated on methods of practice in this text.

**** Great for details on specific casts. A good one to be used as a reference after you have studied some of the ones listed before it.

MCCI PREP IN GENERAL :

I could write volumes on this ..... but will spare you the details.

The most valuable part of the whole venture is that it is an Odessey ! In the estimation of almost all who have taken this path, in the end it has been the JOURNEY which counts most.

As you go through the past articles in the LOOP, look for those on Master preparation. There are several. In particular, I'd heed one by Jim Valle who concentrates on the value of the mentoring process.

Having a "study buddy" can be an invaluable experience for you both. Mine was Rick Whorwood of Ontario Canada. Our sending one another questions each requiring a SHORT ANSWER and a LONG ANSWER. was actually the start of this Study Group ! We did this even though we were some 3000 miles apart.

One might be able to do it alone, but it would be an uphill battle all the way.

Lastly, I cannot stress the value in working with other well trained instructors as you spend as many hours as you can actually teaching fly casting. You will learn volumes as you do this. It's really necessary to be come a real Master Instructor.

Gordy

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MEASURE OF THE VELOCITY OF LOOP LEGS

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From Troy Miller :

Re: David?s question about measuring speed of the flyline legs, I did that as you mentioned with a couple of Orvis? Zebra lines, probably ca. 1992 and 93. I believe that my numbers were reasonably accurate given the crude apparatus used; todays cameras would allow much better definition of the stripes on the line at the high fps speeds we used. I?m still hoping to make it to Michigan to revisit the subject with Bruce and Noel and you someday?

Regards,
Troy Miller
Baker Oil Tools
281-638-0176 cell

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Troy.... Back about that time, we made our own "Zebra" lines using laundry markers. However, I think you are correct in that Orvis made one in the 60's. Others may have done the same.

Most of the Zebra Wonderlines made currently by Orvis are very different. They have a single colored segment designed to act as a strike indicator. (In their Cortland 333 series.)

I did find that Orvis markets a Zebra STRIPE fly line with black segments every two meters. They indicated that the older versions were marked every two feet. (See the attachment).

Gordy

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Group Update

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Two members of our Study Group have their messages returned to me as "undeliverable". When that happens, my MailList Controller automatically cancels their listing on our address book. Perhaps some of you could fill me in on their current email addresses in case they have changed them ...... or can notify them of what is happening. They area:

Woody Woodland & Rob Dickerson.

I apologize for having listed Mark Milkovich with his last name misspelled. I corrected that this morning. If any of you note any misspellings, please let me know and I'll take care to change as needed.

Gordy