From: "Gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
To: caddis@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
Date: Thu, 16 Jun 2005 07:45:54 -0400
Bob....
No problem with using this outline for your teaching.
A few things to note about these ESSENTIALS:
I.) It's important to note that the most important one of all for straight line overhead casting (as compared with European continuous tension casting/other elliptical casts, curve casts, and Spey casts) is THE ROD TIP MUST TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE.
ALL THE OTHER FOUR ESSENTIALS HELP BRING THIS ABOUT.
One point of understanding, here, is that an absolutely straight line path is virtually not achievable by the caster. If it could actually be done, it would result in a collision between the line and the rod tip. The very best casters, however, get closest to almost achieving this, using a very slightly convex path of the rod tip to form a tight loop when this is desired. This, also, helps produce loops with parallel arms. All this adds up to yield the efficient delivery of the fly to a distant target.
II.) My own preference is to consider the STOP as part of the essential which is stated as, POWER MUST BE APPLIED AT THE CORRECT TIME AND IN THE CORRECT AMOUNT. Under this one, I list 3 necessities:
1. TENSION 2. ACCELERATION 3. STOP
III.) SLACK LINE MUST BE KEPT TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
Your teaching can describe various forms of slack, beyond the obvious pile of line in front of the caster......like the fact that a big open loop on the back cast IS a form of slack which must be taken up before the forward stroke becomes effective in loading the rod, etc. Whether back cast or forward cast, you can't load the rod or achieve line speed if there is slack in the system.
IV.) THERE MUST BE A PAUSE AT THE END OF EACH STROKE.
Here, I prefer an understanding, as follows:
1. The longer the cast, the LONGER the pause. Shorter pause for a shorter cast.
2. The higher the line speed, the SHORTER the pause.
V.) THE SIZE OF THE CASTING ARC (AND STROKE LENGTH) MUST VARY WITH THE LENGTH OF LINE PAST THE ROD TIP.
Simplified translation: Long cast / long stroke. Short cast / short stroke.
The most important thing for Master candidate is that he/she go way beyond memorizing these things in developing a deep UNDERSTANDING of these essentials in terms of how they relate to the cast, and how they can be modified to make special casts and casts in high wind conditions.
Your idea of giving an outline to your students is a good one. Why not carry it one step further and advise them to part with about $2.00 to obtain the FFF booklet, THE ESSENTIALS OF FLY CASTING by Bill Gammel? It's well written and goes way beyond a simple list. .....might even spark your students to join the FFF as one of the very best ways to continue the education that you started for them!
Gordy
From: "Bob Rumpf - The Flye & The Pen" <caddis@xxxxxxx>
To: "Gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 19:23:28 -0400
Hi Gordy,
Thank you very much for your assistance in securing the tape from ol Al. The proverbial check is in the mail.
I liked Bill Gammel's list of the 5 essentials so much, that I plan to print them out in bold type, laminate them and hand them out to my beginners. I added a definite stop (as suggested by Floyd) to where he had originally had only a pause. Incidentally I also give credit to Bill Gammel for the list. I don't imagine I would have to clear this with anybody, what do you think?
1.) eliminate slack
2.) straight line path of the rod tip
3.) short line - short stroke - - - long line - long stroke
4.) definite stop and timely pause
5.) proper application of power
Thanks again,
Bob Rumpf
----- Original Message -----
From: Gordon Hill
To: caddis@xxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
Bob....
I did e-mail ol Al. Go ahead and send him your check. (Note his address in the messages below.)
Gordy
From: "Bob Rumpf - The Flye & The Pen" <caddis@xxxxxxx>
To: "Gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 05:08:12 -0400
Hi Gordy,
Would you be so kind as to let Al know that I would like to purchase one of Bill's tapes if still available. Should I just send a check to Al for the $20.00? Please let him know that I appreciate both the offer of the tape and the free shipping.
I would also like to congratulate Jeff Wagner on his 120' cast made in competition, not so much for the actual cast, but for the amount of work necessary to acquire the stroke that made it possible.
Regards,
Bob Rumpf
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
ol Al..
This is one of the most valuable tapes I've reviewed.
Bill's teaching is literally done by the essentials. His delivery is paced for easy understanding by all.
It's a gem for learning distance casting, too. His technique of starting with 30' out of the rod tip, making perfect loops, then increasing line speed until the caster has mastered it to the point of perfect timing and tight loops at very high line speed really mkes sense.
The caster learns timing along the way....greater pause length for more line out of the rod and increased stroke length; adjusted, again, to less pause time for higher line speed....etc, etc.
He goes on to have the caster add one foot at a time ..... each time going through the same scenario. When the caster can no longer accomplish the tight loops with max line speed, he has him back up and repeat the process. This goes on until the caster reaches his/her max capability as far as the amount of line carried with perfect loops and high line speed.
I told Bill he might well have named this video, "One Foot At A Time."
Gordy
From: "Allen Crise" <flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Gordon Hill" <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: heavy rod techniques
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 17:08:51 -0500
Gordy,
I have 5 of the Bill Gammel Teaching Yourself to Flycast"Tapes left as of right now. These are the ones with the 'Study Guide Jacket' you can take to the practice field with you.
If any one wants one they are $20.00 u.s. I will ship free to the lower 48.
ol Al
Allen R. Crise FFF Master Fly Casting Instructor
Hawk Ridge Tackle & Flycasting School
2508 A CR 1011
Glen Rose, Tx, 76043
<flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx>
<www.geocities.com/rrdoctor>
254-897-2045
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