Walter....
Of course, a paradigm is an example.
An analogy is just that......not the exact same thing. So no "analogy" can be perfect.....just some, perhaps, better than others.
Tennis is, I think, a bit better for the reasons you point out. However, even the tennis back stroke is troublsome to compare with a back cast, since it's rarely done for a delivery behind the player.
Gordy
From: WALTER/SUE SIMBIRSKI <simbirsw@xxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Another question
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 10:19:38 -0600
We've heard that the motion in throwing a javelin is a good comparison for fly casters and I think that's a good paradigm for efficient distance casting but is the best equivalent? Would tennis be a better analogy? One thing to consider with a tennis stroke is that its all about getting the racket to contact the ball perpendicular to where you want the ball to go. An efficient tennis stroke involves similar shoulder/elbow/wrist action as an efficient casting stroke. Javelin throwers are only worried about throwing as far as possible. Tennis players need to do that some times but they also need to consider "trick" shots (i.e. imparting spin to the ball) and accuracy.
In addition, tennis players spend almost as much time making backhand shots as forward shots so they understand the concept of a controlled backhand. If you watch a javelin thrower they are all over the place on the backwards portion of the throw. For them its only about getting the hand/arm/javelin in position to start the throw. Up to that point the javelin could be pointing almost anywhere.
From: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
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Subject: Re: Writing
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:48:29 -0400
Walter....
A compliment I doubt I deserve.
Your comment on candidates quoting authors and fly casting, "gurus" is important to note.
My advice is to AVOID quoting these experts when taking your exam. There are a number of reasons for this, including clashing egos, differences of opinion in casting matters, and the fact that the examiner is really looking for YOUR opinion and concepts......not that of an author. I can remember Floyd Franke's advice on that: "If you quote Joan Wulff to me, you had better be right." I've heard another examiner tell the candidate who had just quoted Lefty Kreh, "If I'd wanted Lefty's opinion, I'd have asked him. I want YOUR answer."
On another occasion, I witnessed a candidate quoting a well known and respected author. The lead examiner bristled and said, "Well ________ doesn't really understand fly casting."
Having said that, I realize that on the MCI oral exam, an examiner might well come up with some questions to explore your knowledge of the different styles or opinions of notable fly casters.......so you need to know these things as part of your general knowlege.
For example, back when I was studying for my MCI exam. Floyd gave me some preparatory, "homework" to do. One of the questions was to compare in detail the style variations between Joan Wulff and Lefty Kreh. I remember that my answer came close to the mark.....but I missed one important feature regarding the differences in the use of the wrist. A difference which can be considered fundamental.
Gordy
From: Walter Simbirski <simbirsw@xxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Writing
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 15:57:30 -0600
Gordy - I don't know of anyone who has become a "famous author" writing a book on fly casting. I doubt thatthe average person on the street could name one person who has written a fly casting book or is "famous"in fly fishing circles. Nine out of ten who did answer would probably say Bob Izumi (no offense to Bob).The real danger is having budding certified casters misquoting you during their tests. :)I've only been a member of your mailing list for a short time but I think that any book you wrote would beone hell of a book. Not only do you have a wealth of knowledge but you have the ability to explain it at alllevels from layman to PhD.We have a number of fine books and videos on casting but they tend to have a single person point of view.The student is left to compare and contrast works by the individuals on their own. What I would really liketo see is a compilation of works by various authors and teachers with analysis and commentary from Gordy Hill.My two cents worth.Walter----- Original Message -----From: Gordon HillTo: jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx ; flysoup@xxxxxxxxxx ; sobbobfish@xxxxxxx ; rtab@xxxxxxx ; CAPTPERMIT@xxxxxxx ; creangler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; dwright@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; daver@xxxxxxxxxx ; dennisg@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; captdoug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; dsprague01@xxxxxxxxxxx ; ephemera@xxxxxxx ; brushycreekfc@xxxxxxxxx ; keysjake@xxxxxxx ; barefootj@xxxxxxx ; bradyir@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; flyfishar@xxxxxxxxxxx ; ken.cole@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; captkirk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; glbaggett@xxxxxxxxx ; mkreider1@xxxxxxx ; martyt@xxxxxxxxxx ; niallogan@xxxxxxxxxx ; pminnick@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; bigfly@xxxxxxxxx ; whorwood@xxxxxxxxx ; flycasts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; sheila@xxxxxxxxxx ; scjacobs@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; tharper@xxxxxxxxxxx ; tomwhite@xxxxxxxxxxxxCc: mildbill@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; caddis@xxxxxxx ; Brydnlnims@xxxxxxxxxxx ; cezannealexander@xxxxxxxxxxx ; crazycharlie@xxxxxxx ; croberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; blacksalmon@xxxxxxxxxxx ; DermSox@xxxxxxx ; gladesflybum@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; gavin@xxxxxxxxxxx ; hillshead@xxxxxxx ; iverson@xxxxxxxxx ; jfs523@xxxxxxxxxxx ; kathleen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; thedamselfly@xxxxxxxxxxx ; plami@xxxxxxxxxxx ; ray@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; kerrrc@xxxxxxxxx ; simbirsw@xxxxxxx ; bobbeanblossom@xxxxxxx ; hillcathy@xxxxxxx ; donjack@xxxxxxxxxxx ; douglas.swift@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; erniemaynard@xxxxxxxxxxx ; flyfsfrank@xxxxxxx ; gregrahe@xxxxxxxxxxx ; ianmuirhead@xxxxxxx ; jeff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; t.maltese@xxxxxxxxx ; skifishvail@xxxxxxxx ; jfv@xxxxxxxxxxxx ; trallag@xxxxxxx ; mollysemenik@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; fraudflies@xxxxxxx ; shane@xxxxxxxxx ; snowmonkey29@xxxxxxxSent: Sunday, September 18, 2005 8:12 AMSubject: RE: WritingJerry....
Many folks have suggested that......but I doubt I'll ever do it. My object is only to help......not to become a "famous author".
If someone else wished to use my material to do that, I would not object......perhaps someone who might need or value the exposure.
Gordy
From: jerry puckett <jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Writing
Date: Sat, 17 Sep 2005 16:45:09 -0700 (PDT)
Gordy, I have loved this e-mail forum and over the short time involved realized it as a source on casting not available through any other publication. You synthesize in a way that is unique. Have you ever thought of putting together your own book on casting. You have a wealth of understanding and knowledge that would benefit a much larger casting community. Just a thought for you to ponder. Jerry