Critique of answers on The Variables

It is interesting for me to note the different ways in which my original question on variables was interpreted.

I credit Carl Zarelli of our FFF Board of Directors for coming up with the topic in the first place. Here is a sentence lifted from his initial letter to me :-

"While I can come up with a number of variables I was curious if you wanted to present this to your group to see what they think stand out as the most important. "

Carl's question served as the springboard to launch the topic. While I did pose a number of questions to consider, I didn't intend to receive answers to each of them. Returning to my original request :

In responding, I'd like each of you to ask yourselves these questions (No "right" or "wrong" answers, here). Keep the specific answers to yourselves and then prepare your answer to the question on the table.

Best to try to do this as you would answer a question on a Master's oral exam with # A SHORT ANSWER followed by # AN EXPLANATORY DETAILED ANSWER. :-"

As I mentally "grade" the answers, I pick those from Dusty Sprague and Mac Brown as the best.

Variables: Short Answer: Component or components of a cast which can be altered or modified to produce a different result.

Long answer: Changes to components of the cast such as rod plane, rod path, wrist movement, movement of line hand and includig modifications in equipment can result in a change in the end result of the fly cast. (EG. Proper application of a wrist rotation in the horizontal plane, during the speed up and stop portion of the cast, can result in a curve cast. For equipment changes the use of polypropylene yarn in the leader to aid in bounce the fly along the surface of a lake, as in blow line fishing.

As I participate in giving Master's exams, I note that sometimes the candidate will give a correct answer.... but to a different question ! In teaching, I'm not immune as I find myself falling into the same trap.

Many of you didn't "listen to the question" and made the assumption that I was looking for answers to the specific questions. That approach would not have favored a candidate taking an actual masters oral exam.

Actually, that worked out fine for teaching because it allowed us to see the different thought processes which went into these specific answers. I know I learned some things from this. For that reason I embraced it and sent a few of the results.

It's refreshing to see the various ways of looking at a question like this. Here, for example, are a couple of answers taken from one of our newest members, Capt. Jim Barr who is a salt water fly caster and guide who plies Rhode Island waters :-

Physical ability/disability- Wind-Rocking boat-varying underfooting conditions- balance- Line type and weigth- Overhead limitations (obstructed/unobstructed space)- Backcast limitations-(obstructed/unobstructed space)- Differing equipment (rod length, weight, flex), Fly pattern- (size, weight, air resistance)- Leader length-diameter, Water conditions (still, moving, braided current-, speed), River obstructions, Height of caster from the water level, Visibility, Proximity of the fish, Feeding pattern of the fish, Water column depth

Variables are external conditions for which we have little or no control- in addition to manageable conditions/ kinesthetics that we can control (or at least in part control) and that with physical application we can negate, influence or be assisted by the unmanageable variables.

As a salty flyfisher, I can tell he's a salty caster by his tone and additions relating to his experiences fly fishing the sea as well as the fact that he does have experience with fresh water fly fishing.

Serves to show how we are influenced by our most common fishing experiences .