Group:
We often think in terms of mathematics as being a science of manipulation of numbers to come up with exact answers.
In fly casting and fly fishing, numbers can be used in an a way to come up with some approximate though not necessarily exact answers to help us solve problems.
Here are some fly casting/fishing, "math problems". Let's see how well you do with them.
1.) You are given the speed of the fly leg of a loop for a cast with no shooting of line. What is the formula for calculating the loop speed ?
2.) Now you have a cast made with a line shoot. You know the speed of the fly leg and the speed of the rod leg. What formula is used for determining loop speed ?
3.) You are casting a fly tied on a # 12 hook. What formula or, "rule" might you use to help determine the approximate "X" size for your class tippet ?
4.) What formula or, "rule" would you use for determining the diameter of your 5X tippet ?
5.) You know your tippet size to be 4X. What formula might you use to determine its pound breaking strength ?
6.) What, "rule" or formula might you use to come up with the weight in grains for the first 30' of your #6 designated fly line ? (A rough approximation.)
7.) What is the so-called, "IGFA Formula" for determining the weight in pounds of a game fish? You have only the length of the fish and the girth of the fish measured in inches.
8.) Can you come up with a very general, "rule of thumb" to describe a typical fly leader in terms of percentage for butt section, tapered section, and tippet section ?
9.) You are trying for maximum distance. Can you come up with a simple formula for determining the approximate length of your shoot when knowing the amount of line carried on your last false back cast ?
Gordy