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From Jim Laing..............
Gordy -
Thanks for the helpful spey advice. I would really like to meet Rick
(and everyone else) - you guys are great!
It seems we have some interest in spey here in the Mid West. I have a
question from the group regarding line selection -
We are looking at the Spey Exam Study Guide and some of the required casts
are at 80'. In Gawesworth's recommendations for spey rods, he uses
an A & B choice for each line/ rod. A is for the advanced caster that
will be making longer casts while pulling more line off the water.
These lines are lighter than the B's which are recommended for beginners....
Given the casts are at 80' for the exam, I would suspect that a longer head
would be more appropriate. The windcutter is approx. 45' and the mid
is approx. 65'.
For the 80' cast, I would think overhang would be a problem with these
shorter heads and traditional spey casting.
Would you recommend starting out with the longer head?
Also -
Some of the new generation large arbor reels are coming out in a V
shape. We've already discussed the benefits of large arbor spools here,
but how about the V shaped section? I'm unsure about the answer to
this, but I would like to take a shot....
The V shape is not meant in anyway to reduce backing capacity. I
refuse to believe that, as I like to spend time in the backing and more is
better! The V shape, I believe is about storing line efficiently.
Backing has a lessor diameter than the flyline, and typically the diameter
graduates up in thickness into the belly. It would then make sense to make
the inner spool narrow without compromising backing capacity. The line is
stored more efficiently as its retrieved. With a wider spool, it seems
harder to replace backing on the spool evenly and consistent. If the
backing or line is reeled on unevenly, we could potentially have slack,
tangles and flyline rubbing against the frame. I'm thinking this
design aids in storing line more efficiently. This design is probably most
useful for larger reels/ salt water application - where one may spend much of
the day in his backing.
The flyshop here has turned me onto Bauer. The new line of reels is
called "the Rogue". It incorporates a sealed carbon drag that does
not need lubrication and the V shaped spool. I think this is a new
concept....
What do you think?
Jim Laing
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Jim....
An important part of my role with the Group is to avoid my giving advice
when I know less that some others on a particular topic. Spey casting is
something I do only occasionally, and I am not certified nor really proficient
in teaching it. I will point out that the two handed study guide was
written for those going for two handed certification.
FOR THIS REASON, I'LL SOLICIT ANSWERS TO YOUR SPEY QUESTIONS FROM THOSE WHO
ARE TRULY EXPERT IN THIS FIELD SUCH AS DAN MC CRIMMON, RICK WHORWOOD, ETC.
As for your questions on large arbor reels:
1. Having tried the V spools, I have seen no real advantage.
2. I use Spectra backing, so I don't ever have a problem getting enough of
the stuff on the reel.
3. My own preference is to use reels with an ultra-large arbor for the
advantages they offer including less effect on the drag setting when playing a
big game fish, less tendency to have memory coils of the fly line, and the
ability to have a very rapid retrieve when the critter turns and runs back
toward me.
4. The wider spool will hold a lot more line for the given spool diameter
..... but with spectra backing, that is rarely necessary. Over the years,
I've learned to direct the line to prevent it piling up on one side as I
retrieve when fighting a fish. This IS less of a problem with the narrow
spool whether large arbor or standard arbor. Before the advent of
gel-spun backing and large arbor reels, most big game fly reels had to
have wide spools to accommodate sufficient backing and the fly lines.
5. The, "sealed drag" is not a new concept. Charlton reels used this
for several years. Their drag system was the best we tried ... though I
understand they are not making reels at the present time.
6. Quality drag systems have held up well under extremely adverse
conditions even when not, "sealed". These included the Tibor / Billie Pate
series, Abel, and even the much less expensive Penn salt water fly reels which
we tested. We did find, however, that the only reel we tested in fine
blowing sand at the surf at cape Hatteras which didn't bind up was the Tibor
/Billie Pate ones. The reason is that these reels are purposely made with
less than fine mechanical tolerances. Reels which were advertised as,
"built to aircraft tolerances" were the first to bind up under these
conditions. Even if the drag system is sealed, the fine sand can bind the
remainder of the reel mechanism.
7. When gel-spun backing first came out, we were sent samples to
try. The stuff had a tight weave/twist and was round in cross
section. It would bury in to itself on the reel, bind, and then the tippet
would break on the run. Modern material has a slightly less tight weave
and flattens out just a tiny bit as you wind it up on the spool so it doesn't do
that any longer. Despite that, for big game, I still take pains to wind it
on accurately and TIGHTLY as I install it on the reel. Dacron
doesn't pose a problem, except that you can't get as much on a given spool, and
it is not abrasion resistant. That becomes important when a large fish
such as a tarpon runs under a big raft of floating sargassum weed which can part
any backing other than Spectra.
8. Bauer makes a very good reel. I have not fished one of them,
so am going by their reputation based on info from friend who have used
them.
9. With single handed casting, the term,"tackle balance" usually
refers to proper matching of the line to the rod. In my discussions with
Simon Gawesworth and Topher Brown, I've learned that with two handed casting it
usually refers to the physical balance point of the rod/reel combination.
That would be determined partlly by the weight of the reel. With single
handed casting, the lighter the reel the the greater the efficiency of the
system .... casting with no reel at all can be pure joy. (As you cast with
a single handed rod, the weight of the reel acts as a counterpoise which
provides inertia which must be overcome after the stop.)
Gordy
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From Al Crise:
Howdy Gordy
I found this today.
Do we not teach wrong. With the
understanding that it is how we do it wrong....???
I have to do a class on
Back Casting. I call it "better back cast to better presentation
casts"
On today's E
mail
The longer tip travel, of
the slower rod, from deeper bending, Take the time allow for it to
take place.
I teach that the thumb up is a
standard and allows the more rotation. Kids get a longer or more contact with
the cork. stronger grip.
The finger for targets,
also stops over wristing for some on the backcast.
The V grip for massive
power, distance.
ol Al
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Bob Andreae did a very
informative presentation on the back cast, called, "YOUR MOST IMPORTANT
CAST".
In as much as a decent back cast
is needed for an efficient forward cast, this made good sense as a teaching
principle.
Gordy
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