Acceleration / Spey casting (More)

Walter & Group.........

From Dermon Sox:-

Gordy,

 

Perhaps we could rise above all of our struggles of how to understand the physics of the proper acceleration by simply describing the desired result rather than the science.  Could we simply say that we need to continuously and smoothly accelerate the rod through the cast so that the rod is progressively loaded more deeply until the optimum load is achieved right at the stop at the end of the cast?  I don't need to choose between calling it an increasing acceleration or simply a smooth acceleration if I simply describe what I want the caster to achieve.  It all happens so fast that surely no one can discern exactly how they are accelerating.  We can only continuously experiment with what works best and train our muscle memory to be able to repeat that movement.

 

Dermon

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Comment:   We certainly could.  This is an example of deductive reasoning.  Nothing wrong with that approach.  Speaks to Mel Krieger's writings as to the various ways of looking at fly casting, including those of the poet and those of the engineer.  Two ends of a spectrum.

Reducing the parameters of fly casting to detailed calculus formulae is possible .... but not very interesting to most.  To the dyed in the wool mathematician, however, that is the real world.

All depends upon the way each of us looks at this, "real world".

Gordy

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Additional comments on Spey casting by Kirk Eberhard:-

HI Gordy,

    After a stiff cup of instant, several more thoughts came to mind. (in red)

Kirk Eberhard. (-: 

 

-------Original Message-------

 

From: Gordy Hill

Date: 6/8/2007 11:45:05 AM

To: Kirk Eberhart

Subject: Spey Questions: Answers

 

Kirk & Group....

Kirk Eberhard's answers to the questions posed by the, "study-buddies".  His answers are in blue characters in the question text, following each question :-

Two candidates who are, "study-buddies" came up with some questions on Spey/Two handed casting.  (They wish to remain anonymous).  Let's see your answers to six of them :-

 

#1 Describe to (two) hand body position required in spey casting for developing maximum rod loading for the given effort.

 

During an exam I would ask for clarification/re-phrasing.  Strong rod loading can be achieved by several techniques. Leading with the lower hand  during the casting stroke loads the strongest part of the rod, the butt.

 

#2 Describe three common faults related to hand / arm movement with an overhead forward spey cast.

 

I would ask for clarification. "Overhead forward spey cast" is confusing.   Assuming this is the delivery cast of a spey move, my answers would be open, tailing, collapsed loops. "Trunking", pushing out with the bottom hand allowing the rod tip to drop behind. This causes excess line stick. "Chopping wood" aka "Seesawing". Rod tip moves in a doming shape causing  wide, ugly loops.

"Dominate upper hand". This can cause open loops if the upper hand moves in an arc or tailing loops (too much power applied too soon) Kirk

 

#3 Describe the three phases of a forward cast.  

 

Loading move, smooth acceleration, power snap, stop/rapid deceleration. The forward cast always starts at the "key" or "1:00" firing position. The rod tip always rises to this position, never falling. Kirk

 

#4 Name as many "basic principles" in two-handed casting as you can. 

 

Face the target, hands comfortably apart/light grip,stand proud, no bending at the waist, rolling the shoulder, etc, start "spey"cast with fly on the dangle, rod tip low, no slack,  A slow, smooth lift, anchor that lands smoothly like an airplane landing, rod always rises to the 1:00 firing position, smooth acceleration on the forward cast, straight line movement of the rod tip with an abrupt stop/deceleration. The rod tip is kept angled away from the caster. Kirk

 

#5 The term "Dangle" came up during my exam.  Give me a synonym you would use as part of your answer, so that the examiners know you are thoroughly familiar with this term.  (the terms in Modern Speycasting should be at the tip of a masters tongue).

 

"Hang down". The fly has completed its swing and is "hanging down directly downstream of the caster.

 

#6 Bill Gammel has authored the 5 essentials of the single handed cast.  If there were five for two-handed casting, what would they be? :--)

 

The basic casting essentials are similar between single and double hand rods. I would add several essentials to Bill's requirements, (spey moves) limit line stick, the larger the D loop the better potential rod load, 180 degree principal, long cast.

 

(We might, also, consider:  Always keep your D-loop on the Downwind side. ..... Gordy) Yes, choose the correct cast for the wind conditions.  

 

Bonus Question - When would you use a single spey and a snap T spey cast?  Describe conditions, positions and locations on the water.

 

A Single Spey is used in a strong upstream or neutral wind. (Keeps the fly upwind for safety) It is useful with obstructions directly behind. It is a good distance cast, allows minimal water disturbance, and takes less time to complete. It allows efficient fly presentation for "down and across" swings. The single spey and Snap T are performed with the upstream hand on the top grip on river right and river left. (Left hand up on river right and right hand up on river left. Unless  you  cast "cack handed" which will probably be Gordy's next question! The Snap T is a substitute for the single spey. It is generally easier to learn/teach. Effective to use with sink tips and limited back cast room.

 

(Using the Snap T instead of the single Spey for long periods of fishing also allows more casts in a given period of time and greater exposure of your fly to the fish. ..... Gordy  Curious about this statement. Your thoughts why Snap T is more efficient than the single spey. Kirk

 

We must be cautious interchanging the words, "double/two hand" casts and two hand "spey" casts. They can be different cats.

 

 

Kirk Eberhard 

 

 

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