Walter & group....
This is Jeff Wagner's answer to my questioning him on the value (if any) of having some slack in performing the so-called, "reach cast". His answer is a good one. My comments to follow his :-
Gordy,
Some leader/line slack can be desired with a reach mend/cast.
If the leader
and/or the line has some waves in it on the water it will aid
in a drag free
drift. This can be done by inclining the launch angle of the
reach, adding
more energy to the cast to get a "bounce", adding small side to
side mends, or
various other ways. But all are viable ways of increasing the
drag free drift
of a fly. A reach mend/cast with a straight line on the water
is good and has
its application but if some slack can be added the drift
length can be
increased. Especially if there are little micro currents to the
waters
surface, a very small fly is being used, or it is a windy day and the
fly is
being blown around on the surface of the water.
I agree
cast/mend should be added. I sometimes have a hard time correcting
things I have used
for so long. Thank you so much for your input and
comments. I must say this
is how I really learn quickly. I remember studying
for my masters and sending
you questions from the US and Euro masters prep
study sheets and getting your
comments back. That kind of studying really
works well. A testament to your
study group and its effectiveness and the
groups success. I am sure I speak
for us all when I say that.
--
Jeff
Wagner
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Jeff....
As Shakespeare once wrote, "Ah; there's the rub."
You are correct in that some slack in the layout even if only an up-current curve is likely to assist in yielding a drag free drift for the dry fly when added to a reach cast/mend in the real world of fishing.
Yet our examiners for the CCI exam, usually insist on a straight line layout between the rod tip and the fly as the candidate makes a so-called, "reach cast."
On an MCI exam, I've witnessed Bruce Richards make a demo, "reach cast" with a curved layout and ask the candidate, "what's wrong with that one". He expects the candidate to answer, "there isn't a straight line between the rod tip and the fly."
The purposeful addition of an in-the-air up current curve mend to the reach cast-mend might even deserve the more complex name of COMPOUND CAST-MEND.
Tom White would add this comment to that: "I don't care what you call it, I want you to know how to do it and for what purpose."
Gordy