Task 1 Discussion 6

Walter & Group...

[GH] Many of the answers to these questions will pertain to our discussions of the other tasks on the MCI exam. By being aired, here, it should make discussions on subsequent topics a bit easier.

Dan McCrimmon comments on communication as the candidate being asked to teach a task :

Hello Gordy;

An important element in the Masters is to clarify with the examiner, what level of caster you are addressing with your answer, demonstration or instruction.

As we know, a very advanced caster may need a differently phrased answer than that of a complete raw beginner.

It is also a good idea to repeat the question back. This insures that you understood the question clearly, and gives you a moment to collect your thoughts. Particularly a good idea if the examiner has a different language base than the candidate. Good communication makes everyone more comfortable and increases the potential for success.

Dan McCrimmon

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[GH] From Mike Heritage,

Just a comment on Gary's comments. I am an inveterate loop watcher. It has been ingrained from many years focused on distance. Yes there are instances where watching your back cast while actually fishing might be a good thing but I would not recommend it while sight fishing. It may have been difficult enough to spot the fish in the first place and once spotted I don't want to look away and then have only a fraction of a second to re-locate it as I deliver the fly.

Having said that I do spend a lot of time trying to get people to watch their back casts, most have never even thought about watching them, they just assume they are great and are surprised when I point out they are not.

Incidentally, are there any casts in the test where there is a 'right' or 'wrong' stance from and examiners view point?

Mike

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[GH] Mike,

Re. Watching your back loops while performing Task 1.:-

Dusty Sprague said, "I watch my loops on this task as well as others but not on tasks involving accuracy or mend placement. "

Ally Gowans states :"In drawing the sketch I deliberately attempted to suggest how the loops would fall at lower speeds, something that was correctly mentioned by one of your group. Loop width has to be judged shortly after stabilisation if the test is going to be fair because after that external influences can bear heavily on the outcome and naturally the loop eventually opens. Examiners would be expected to allow for exceptional external influence and if possible they may suggest moving the test position.

My own view is that a competent caster should not have to observe back casts during this task. Watching back casts often results in some shoulder rotation which adversely affects the result."

I stated that I didn't want the candidate to appear awkward.

Gordy

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Re. Stance :

I don't see any "right" or "wrong" here. It is a matter of style. Same with grip. Some controversy remains over whether we are dictating style when the candidate is asked to perform this task using a vertical casting (rod) plane.

I think Dusty answered that well : "While not specified in the test beyond the need for 'good demonstration', we expect the candidate to create loops easily seen by both examiners and students. The casting plane need not be rigidly vertical, however, the size and shape of the loop should be easily viewed. "

Gordy

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[GH] From Michael Gallart (His sketch overlay is attached) :

Gordy,

I've been looking at Ally's fine drawing. I have a question, that I'll pose with a drawing I made over the illustration that Ally made.

I have added a rod stop position for the forward cast and back cast.

To perform the cast and change the loop size there needs to be variable to change.

*The line length beyond the rod tip does not change.

So the variable to change the loop size needs to be explained and illustrated (demonstrated).

Is it not the arc that changes? The stroke?

Michael

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[GH] Michael :

I think Ally's sketch was meant to simply show the loop sizes, not the details of what goes into forming them.

Of course, rod tip path, the launch angle, the launch point, will all have an effect on the loop size and will be impacted by the casting stroke and arc as well as the relationship between casting arc and rod bend, etc., etc.

This task is performed with a single line length.

We could go further with sketches by showing many things including rod bend and tip path, hand/arm motion, body motion, etc., etc. All depends upon what is to be emphasized.

Often much to be gained by simplifying as we teach.

Gordy