Curve cast videos 6

Walter & Group...

[GH]  Jim Bass comments on learning and practicing the curve casts in order to comply with the present approved version of the MCI exam for Task 5 :

Gordy and Gary

 I think the way to make the cast is make it in the purest form, no mend no haul no jerk back. Just over power the side arm cast and let the rod do the rest. To make it to the other side cast off hand and use a wrist roll. The negative cast can't be made to get around a 45' tree.

 

Best Jim

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[GH]  Many of us have pointed out that we do use methods to augment the curves as we fish.  These are what I've called, "Real World" fishing casts.

As I perform curve casts while fishing, I think about the fish, the water conditions, the wind, obstructions, and the presentation.  As all this quickly races through my brain in time to prevent a lost opportunity, the LAST thing I'd consider is the purity of my curve cast.

When I coach a Master candidate to make curve casts in preparation for the exam, the purity of the curve cast maneuvers must then become primary.  A well informed candidate will usually question the wisdom in doing it that way.  

I often teach non- FFF affiliated fishing guides who are experienced fly fishers.  They take issue with the CICP which, in their way of looking at it, is off on "cloud nine" when it comes to teaching practical fishing casts.  When we tackle curve casts, they all can do them, but they came to me to learn how to teach their clients to do them in ways which work best out there in the wind on their skiffs.

Do I teach them "pure" curve casts ?   Of course not.

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Gary Davison speaks to this :

Thanks Gordy,

 

I appreciate you sending this back to the group for clarification. 

 

Lefty provided this detail in his video regarding the Curve cast showing that a pronounced re-enforcement by the caster to the rebounding of the rod would exemplify the curve in the cast.  

 

The causing of the kick that is most desired for the cast, even though the MCI test does not identify this as an attribute for the application of this cast.  Looking upon it as a mend rather than a cast.  A negative rather than a positive.

 

Which to me is very questionable? Being as the end results in a majority of cases and presentations is to exemplify the execution of the curve in the cast.

 

I am of the opinion that if it works in the field, it should be part of the test and deemed acceptable.  If and when applied correctly in the course of teaching students. 

 

Just my take.

 

 Gary

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[GH]  From Roy Sedge :

Dear Gordy:

 

While mentioned in previous curve cast discussions, I think that it is important for us to keep in mind "safety" issues  when practicing alternate methods of curve casts.  Our skeletal makeup simply does not complement some of the torque requirements, for example in throwing a true curve to the right.  Based on personal experience there too many safe ways to cast curves right, left, hook, long, short, etc. without subjecting and risking injury while attempting some of the casts described in the literature.  I certainly wouldn't want a student to risk injury as a result of learning one of the more physically curve casts.

 

Perhaps that is why the MCI examination is careful to require the student to cast only one overpowered and one underpowered  curve. 

 

Roy Sedge

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[GH]  Roy...

Roy,

I think the MCI Testing Committee wanted to have two distinctly different methods of making curves.... Underpowered and overpowered.  I'm sure safety is always a consideration.

In general, we do not recommend using weighted flies or flies with metal hooks during FFF Workshops or when teaching at other venues for obvious safety reasons.

As you are doubtless aware, the use of a weighted fly would make the performance of powered curves including the Tuck cast ( a downward vertical curve.) a lot easier at the expense of safety.