Walter & Group........
I just got back from my trip to Nova Scotia .... visiting and fishing with Dennis and Verlie Grant.
As most of you know, Dennis is a certified two handed instructor (THCI). He makes it seem so easy ..... uses a smooth style reminiscent of the teachings of Ally Gowans. (I had payed careful attention to Ally as he taught us at the Conclave and was impressed with his, "ergonomic" method.)
We Spey fished the Margaree ... a truly wonderful river ! To say that I learned a great deal from Dennis is a true understatement.
A lot to be learned from Dennis's teaching techniques ...... He'd patiently watch me as I fished critiqueing my casting only with an occasional positive comment .... "good cast". No negatives at all, though he carefully took note of my failures and faults.
Between fishing sessions we had some serious instruction with Dennis using visual, auditory and hands-on techniques. After one session, he concluded with having me turn about and instruct another angler in Spey casting.
One session was devoted to learning about matching lines to rods. Dennis brought several different lines and had us compare their castability with rods to which they were matched and mis-matched. I found, for example, that my 14' rod which was rated for an 8-9 line, actually performed best with a longer belly 10-11 mid-Spey line !
I became convinced that there are three followup, "situations" which helped to solidify what I'd learned:-
1.) "Sleeping on it". Going over the information and, "casting" in my dreams as I slept surely helped.
2.) Actually using the newly learned techniques. Going right out the next morning and actually using what I'd learned on the river, meeting the challenges of the currents, the changing direction of the winds (sometimes strong) and the various pool configurations gave me a pleasant, "alone time" ..... a sort of, "on-the-job-training".
3.) Teaching the basics a few days later. I did this with Mark Kreider while visiting and striper fishing with him on Long Island after our Nova Scotia trip.
Great experience for a teacher to be back as a student again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gordy
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