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Walter & Group.....
[GH] From Molly Semenik :
Hi Gordy,
I am enjoying the discussion on the tasks. These discussions are very helpful for examiners and the test committees. I hope the chairs of the CI and Master committees are taking notes.
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[GH] Molly,
I, for one, am learning from our members' contributions and comments. I know this will make me a better examiner.
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[GH] From Mark Roberts :
Hi Gordy
unless you are using a cast such as Jason Borger's Corkscrew curve (Page's 184 to 186 Nature of Fly Casting. A modular approach) if you try to haul and mend then often the problem is the line straightens due to the small re-loading of the rod. I believe a similar response happens when some make the mend with wrist movement as opposed to movement from the elbow.
I understand that this task is simply testing the candidates ability to control accurately a mend at a specified distance.
best wishes
Mark
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Mark,
Agree. Of course, the layout depicted by Jason would not be accepted on Task 4, because the curve representing the mend is out at the end, so the line is not straight beyond it. *
* Jason Borger's NATURE OF FLY CASTING, by Jason Borger, 2001, p. 186, Figure ll-5.
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[GH] From Frank Harford :
Gordy,
Another use for these ariel mends is as a substitute for a curve cast . Gary Borger illustrates this on p.230 in " Presentation "
Frank Harford.
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[GH] Frank,
Gary Borger shows two different layouts. The first is what we are looking for on Task 4.
The second is what I would call a "curve cast/mend". This one results in a curve layout with the line not straight beyond the curve. In his index, he refers to a "Curve mend" *
In Expectations for Task 4, we have : " The line should land on the surface relatively straight, other than at the mend point." I interpret that to mean the line on both the candidate's side and the fly side of the mend.
You are correct, however, that when fishing there are circumstances when the angler might choose either.
* Presentation by Gary Borger, 1995, p. 230, Figure 7.26 and Figure 7.27 - p. 315.
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[GH] From Peter Lami re. "No hauling allowed" :
Gordy,
I 100% agree with Ally ... hauling is irrelevant.
Peter Lami
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[GH] Peter,
I join you and Ally with the opinion that a statement excluding hauls isn't necessary for task 4.
That can be taken into consideration by the MCI Testing Committee as they deliberate while coming up with the next version of the exam. Meanwhile, as a Study Group, our main job is to help interpret the exam we have on hand while making suggestions which will likely be heeded by the Committee.
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[GH] From Dusty Sprague :
We addressed the hauling issue for consistency in administering the tests ....a standardization issue....from one test to the next, from one set of examiners to the next.
I personally don't care either way if the candidate hauls or not on this task or most tasks for that matter however, its unfair if I let candidate haul or restrict his hauling and you examine the same candidate or different candidate and require the opposite.....we need to be consistent among examiners so the candidates expect and receive the same guidelines/requirements.
Dusty
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[GH] Dusty,
I understand. Specifically for Task 4, however, perhaps the MCI Testing Committee might consider discussing the value of keeping or eliminating it . Up to the Committee. (There is no comparable task on the CCI exam.)
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[GH] From Ckling Ling :
Hi Gordy,
Yep a difficult task indeed, trying to false cast 45ft rod hand only with slow speed loops that just barely straighten so that we don't pull out the mends. I was under the false impression that the speed of travel of the mend was the same as the loop.
Did this lateral out in mend on a straight line 30ft out on the floor. A quick out in mend formed and travelled a distance down the line. So it obviously doesn't just require a moving line for a mend to travel.
So what are the determinants as to how fast and how far a mend travels down a fly line?
Looking forward to the answer.
Ling
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[GH] Ling,
The loop is unrolling, but the mend wave is in the rod leg which isn't traveling unless line is shot. You are correct... the wave is traveling down that line.
At this point, I can't give you a solid answer on the speed of the wave. I can tell you my observations.
First let's dispense with the mend being shot to its destination. For me, that is not difficult, but it is because I've practiced it so much as a "stunt".... stuff for either trick casting for public demo's or for the rare instance when I'd wish to place a mend so far out there that I can't do it without forming the mend at high speed and then shooting the whole thing out while doing everything I can to reduce rod and line guide friction so the mend doesn't straighten out.
With this method we have the mend curve traveling down the line at a rate determined partly by the forward speed of the rod tip at the time it was formed coupled with the speed of the rod leg of the loop which is less than 1/2 that of the leading edge of the loop.* A complicated situation to say the least ! The stuff of migraines and the sport of physicists.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND SHOOTING THE MEND FOR CANDIDATES TAKING AN EXAM .
Now, somebody is bound to ask if shooting a perfect mend would be flunked. I'd accept it so long as the candidate could explain how it was done and could teach it. I wouldn't accept it if the Committee decided to state that this would not be accepted. As worded at present, it is left open to interpretation.
An hour ago, I went out in our beautiful Florida weather and again performed Task 4, though with an eye to giving you a practical answer. I didn't shoot line nor use a haul.
Without being able to come up with actual numbers, I found that when trying to place the mend around the 35' target, that it didn't work if :
1. I cast too slowly. (Loop unfurled prematurely and the mend didn't reach the target distance.)
2. I had so much loop speed / line speed that -
a. I didn't have good control.
b. The mend straightened out.
For me, there was a range of loop/line speeds within which I could make it work. Casting within those parameters, I took care to watch the mend travel out to the mark.
I noted that the rate at which it did so, seemed roughly proportional to the speed of my casting (Line/loop speed).
One thing surprised me as I did this with mends at different distances. The mend seemed to travel at a greater rate down the line when formed early for a distant target that when I formed it late for a close target. This, however, is only my subjective interpretation. Actual measurements might have proved my wrong.
PRACTICUM -
I think practice with different line speeds as well as timing of mend formation may be key to becoming proficient with this task. A range of line speeds should be considered in view of local weather conditions; particularly wind.
There may well be an optimum loop/line speed for each caster and each weather situation.
Consider a practice algorithm something like this : As you perform the mends, ask yourself, "How fast can I cast and still make it work ? "; then, "How slowly can I cast and still make it work? ".
Don't just keep doing it over and over hoping fir better results. THINK about what you are doing with each attempt. Try new moves based upon logic.
Then try it with different winds.
Gordy
* Basic formula : Loop speed = speed of the fly leg + speed of the rod leg divided by 2 .
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