Names for LOOP articles / "Bow" analogy / Marked lines

Walter & Group.....

To all group members :

Denise Maxwell, editor of the LOOP and I have discussed placing certain pearls of wisdom from our Group messages in this FFF instructor publication.

Please let me know if any of you object to your names being included.

Gordy

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Response to question 4.) from Tony Loader:

Hi Gordy,

 

I look forward to learning from Jeff, how he utilises the Bow v Roll Cast analogy in his teaching.

 

In the following I have attempted to identify some possibly useful similarities:

 

A bow functions by converting elastic potential energy , stored in its limbs, into kinetic energy , then transferring this energy to an arrow so as to project the arrow towards a target.

 

The bow is raised and the string hand drawn towards the archer’s face, where it should rest lightly at an anchor point. The archer’s muscles perform the work required to store energy in the bow when (s)he pulls the arrow to the anchor point. When the string is released, the arrow is projected towards the target.

To make a roll cast the rod is raised as the caster pulls the line to an anchor point, then performs the work required to store energy in the rod by bending the rod in a casting stroke. This potential energy is transferred into the line as kinetic energy when the rod straightens at loop formation, whereupon the line is projected toward the target.

 

By the way, the following is exactly what I tried to say in my own response to the "After Masters" question. Jim, in Masterly fashion, has put it so much better.

 

"So after the Master’s Milestone ….

I tell my grand kids … “It’s really important to do something really well in this life” and the Masters is certainly one of these things. The next phase is meeting and casting with the greats in the fly casting world, and better yet becoming friends with all these great people. Lefty once told me that there are no better people in the world than a fly fisherman and I have found that to be true. They value the outdoors and beauty of our sport, there is an intrinsic common value that draws us together… bottom line is that just being around these people is an education and they all have different things to share and they do!"

 

Regards,

Tony.

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Tony .....

 

Good analogy   .....  as far as it goes.  

 

Where the analogy falls apart is that with the archery, virtually ALL of the energy comes from that stored in the bent bow. 

 

(As young boys, we made bows which were not very good.  We'd try to make the arrow go farther by suddinly pushing it forward as we released the bow string after drawing it back.  Didn't add at all to distance, and ruined what little accuracy we could muster.)

 

With the fly rod, this conversion of stored latent energy in the rod to kinetic energy used to propel the fly line loop is SECONDARY TO THE ENERGY ACTUALLY IMPARTED BY THE CASTER.

 

One can make a cast with a broomstick rigged with guides and a tip tip.  Practically no bend, so almost no latent energy stored in that, "rod".

 

This concept was well described in Al Kyte's 2003 article entitled, FLY ROD VARIABLES; "SWING" AND "SPRING".  (The "swing" was largely the energy supplied by the caster during accelerqtion of the rod.  The "spring" refers to the energy stored in the bent (loaded) fly rod.)  Of course all of the energy is supplied by the caster, so we can say that some of that goes to store energy in the bent rod and some directly to propelling the fly line loop independant of the former.

 

Gordy

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From Walter Simberski on marked lines :

 

Gordy, Guy,

 

Excellent advice with respect to asking the examiner to assist with stretching the line prior to the distance cast.

 

That does bring up the question of why anyone would need to mark the end of the head of their line. Seems to me that it's obvious

by the feel.

 

Thanks again

 

Walter

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Walter...

 

With most lines, one can feel it.  Not so easy with lines which have long rear tapers or the CRT (continuous rear taper) lines.

 

Back in the 70's, Scientific Anglers made a line with a bump in the coating at what they felt would be sort of an average length of line that an average caster could handle well.  The called it the, "Telecast" line.

 

When distance casting, however, everything is happening so fast that I can't easily feel it .... neither can my students.  So for training purposes (not testing) I have them mark either the base of the head or (better, yet) the point on the line beyond the head which represents the maximum amount of line which they can carry during rapid false casting without the loop deteriorating.  I do it with a small nail knot of 4lb test mono.  It can easily be removed or slid along the line if and when the caster improves.  This way, the student can feel it..... Or hear it click in the guides if he misses it.

 

Sort of like "training wheels" when teaching a youngster to ride a two wheel bike.

 

Once well practiced and learned, the proficient caster doesn't need it any more.  A well prepared MCCI candidate shouldn't need that or any other mark on the line by the time he or she is ready for testing.  Despite what I have said, the CBOG has voted to allow that one mark on the line ...... the one at the base of the head.

 

Incidentally, I note that some commercially available Spey lines are made with a distinct mark at the base of the head.

 

Gordy

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