Walter & Group...
Several of you have commented on the different ways of making the saltwater quick-cast, mainly with regard to how to hold the fly, holding the loops, and when and how to release the fly.
Now, I'd like to quiz the Group with these 25 brief questions. The idea is to test your knowledge gained by personal experience, our recent plethora of messages, and your reading of the fly casting literature on the subject. As you do this, you will reinforce your own knowledge and help educate the rest of us !
Make your answers as brief as possible. If you require an explanation, please do so with,
A. Short answer; B. Long (explanatory) answer.
1.) Do you ever hold the fly in your rod hand when setting up for the salt water quick-cast ?
2.) Why ?
3.) How do you position the hook relative to your hand / fingers ?
4.) Why ?
5.) Do you ever avoid holding the fly, and hold the leader instead; allowing the fly to dangle ?
6.) Why ?
7.) Do you consider this cast strictly for salt water use ?
8.) When (if ever) would you use it when fishing fresh water venues ?
9.) List a minimum of three reasons for using this cast when fishing from the deck of a flats skiff.
10.) After reading our messages on this subject, and going to the fly casting literature, list the number of noted casters who sometimes hold the fly in the rod hand when using this cast.
11.) In the fly casting literature, there is one author who has described three different variations of this cast. Who is that ?
12.) If you were able to answer question 9.), cite your reference including page numbers.
13.) Would you ever modify your salt water quick-cast because of wind direction and strength ?
14.) If you answered YES to question 11.), tell us when and how.
15.) Craig Buckbee has called attention to what he calls a "clearance cast". What do you think that might be ?
16.) Why do that ?
17.) BRIEFLY list the challenges or difficulties you would face when using this cast while wading a flat.
18.) BRIEFLY list the basic changes you would make when leaving the skiff deck and wading a flat and using a modification of this cast.
19.) Name one author who uses a different name for this cast.
20.) What does he/she call it ?
21.) When fishing from the deck of a flats skiff, would you use this cast for all fishing situations ?
22,) You are set up for a salt water quick cast, and are looking for bonefish to your left. Suddenly, your guide tells you that there is a fish approaching rapidly from behind you. Your guide has no time to turn the skiff. What do you do ?
23.) List 3 different ways to position and control the line out of the rod tip when using this cast from the deck of a skiff.
24.) List at least 3 different ways to control the shooting line between the reel and the first stripper guide in this situation.
25.) We have been talking about flats fishing. Would you ever use this cast when fishing from a skiff in deep water ?
IT IS OK TO GO BACK AND CONSULT THE MANY GROUP MESSAGES ON THIS SUBJECT. IN ORDER TO GET ALL THE QUESTIONS CORRECT, YOU WILL HAVE TO BLOW THE DUST OFF YOUR FLYCASTING BOOKS AND LOOK UP SOME OF THE MATERIAL.
I realize full well, that those of us who do a great deal of flats fishing will have an obvious advantage. For those who have never seen a flat or a flats skiff I advise you to take the plunge and do the best you can with these questions. If you can't answer a question, just say so and stand by to learn from the answers others give. When it comes to a quiz on your field of expertise it will be your turn to shine !
HAVE FUN WITH THESE QUESTIONS AND HELP TEACH US ALL !
Gordy