Cast sounds, cont'd

Some of us have better hearing then others.

Just wanted to touch on a couple of things regarding the Spey Cast. Plus a little fun and humor

If you are hearing your Anchor when it touchs down on the water, then as Ally stated that may be a sure sign of a problem. Just one example a Crumpled Anchor. When Spey Casting you want a clean lift with a nice smooth touch down of the Anchor. (Ideal) With the Anchor touching the water in a nice straight line from fly to the leader fly line connection. The Pick Up should be with continuous tension and smooth acceleration through out the lift to the touch down of the Anchor. This should create very little disturbance on the waters surface, so most of you will not or should not hear the splash down.

Practice the pick up until you can not hear the splash down. It can only improve your casting. If you are casting and you can still hear your Anchors splashing down and the Anchor is perfect, then you may want to use ear plugs if its driving you crazy. ;o)

Noted some of us do have good enough hearing that we can even hear a good anchor touch the water. Especially in the early morning when all is still and quite on the water. As Gordy expressed it depends on what is going on around you at the time. Background noise will interfere with the sounds you pick up. I have a buddy at work that can hear sounds that no human should be capable of hearing.. And my Wife. Well I better not go there! ;o)

So it all depends on your sensory set up. We are all unique like our Style of casting.

In some cases when Spey casting various type of fly's with SH or DH rod we may not have a choice with the placements. For instance when fishing for Stripped Bass or Red Fish that sometimes show themselves just on the surface while fishing. We can use larger balky fly's, or a spoon fly for that matter just off the surface. Getting the fly there as fast as possible based on the conditions is the goal. Using a Spey Cast to do this makes sense, it is a fast change of direction cast . Casting big fly's like those mentioned tend to cause a kick at the touch down or splash down, so no matter how well you implement the Anchor, there may be some water works on the splash and go.

This is especially true with the airborne anchor groups. These cast require fast execution for fast delivery to the target when sight casting. Snake Roll, Single Spey, Forward Spey.

So there you go: It all depends on your ability to hear, your skill level, and the fishing conditions for the cast.

You may or may not hear your splash down, Anchor. It's better if you don't.

Thanks Ally and Gordy.

Lets think of all those that can not hear well, that want to become CCI.

I would hope they would be encouraged to become teachers and instructors. Who better to understand and identify the needs of those who have lost or never had the gift.

Gary Davison

Gulf Coast Spey

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Gary... Well thought out answer.

On the negative side of hearing the cast, Moly Seminik of our Group and others who fish in the pristine quiet of mountain stream venues have stated that they object to the increased noise when casting textured fly lines. I understand their feeling ...... shatters the ambiance.

I'm glad you brought up the other side of this equation .... folks who have poor hearing or none.

One of our very best casters, fly caster, fisherman and CCI is Peter Minnick of our Group. Peter has a hearing problem almost all his life as many of you know. He has spent many years as teacher in an advanced school for the hearing impaired in New York.

Peter and I have fished together for years. His lack of hearing is a non-issue as we both have learned to get around this in many ways.

Some examples:

- Peter reads lips better than anyone I know with hearing problems. He's also capable with signing.... even my "crude homemade signs."

- When the two of us run out to the back country for tarpon in the dark, I carry a pen-light in my top pocket. If I want to say something to Peter, I take a moment to flash in on my face. Works fine.

- Peter is finely tuned to the motions I make when poling the skiff with him as angler. One tiny tilt in one direction or the other has him instantly "on point".

- As with many folks who have lack of one sense, the other senses get honed .... he is great at sight fishing !

His instruction is sterling as he teaches fly casting both to hearing and non- hearing students.

A couple of years ago, we gave a public fly casting course with Jim Valle and Lefty in New Jersey. Peter gave a talk on teaching folks with disabilities.

Let's welcome him to comment as he sees fit. We may all learn something.

Gordy