Taking Instructors Exams
There are core values of truthfulness, ethical and moral conduct and an inherent responsibility of a duty of care for other people that stand distinct from, independent of, and that for some people, will always supersede any fly-casting organisation.
At some point during a Fly caster's journey, one may decide to obtain some Instructors qualifications.
Taking examinations and the examination process should be considered very seriously. You certainly need to use discernment in choosing an organisation to join or recommend to friends. You are placing trust in an organisation by joining it and that trust can be misplaced. You may find the claims an organisation makes are simply spurious.
Qualifications
Taking Instructors qualifications may be pursued to improve ones overall knowledge of the techniques and the teaching fly-casting through interaction with others. Through learning from the experience of others and a system of teaching used by a credible organisation.
It may simply be to meet a personal challenge of your own about reaching a certain level and not necessarily to teach. Or, it may be to show some level of credibility to potential clients if you are in the Game Angling Industry for instance as a Ghillie or Guide. During the process you will either learn a system of teaching fly-casting or, most importantly, how to better define the system of casting and teaching you already use.
It is best to always remember that some of the finest fly-casters in the world don’t belong to any Fly-casting organisations and haven’t taken any qualifications.
I personally believe qualifications are not as important as having some thorough formal training in a proven Fly-casting style or system such as that taught by Peter Anderson. Formal training in an efficient style, from a known competent practitioner of it, is usually invaluable. It is my personal experience and my opinion that this channel - formal training from someone very, very experienced in Fly-casting - always makes for a very good caster. There are so many little nuances and tips that only are able to be related by the very experienced. Formal training does not happen overnight but is a long term process, extra layers of ability built on solid foundations of precise technique.
After formal training and fluency is achieved in an effective style, taking examinations and the examination process is then always much easier. You will also then have a methodology both for teaching, and for the practical casting elements.
The formal training on technique, providing it is an authentic and proven system, will have removed any struggle or difficulty with the practical requirements of an examination. In double-handed casting I consider the Scottish are products of their environment and have the understanding and mastery necessary to use a double-handed rod most effectively. I use their practical knowledge base in my own casting, and in teaching as I consider there is none any better. I also found that American Instructor, Al Buhr understands double-handed casting fully and the Scottish use of a double-handed rod. He can explain it technically at any level anyone wishes to go to. He improved my understanding of exactly what is going on when we cast.
I have often reflected on how fortunate I was, and how thankful I am, that I learned fly-casting initially from people who were supposedly, or lets say 'officially' not qualified Instructors of the mainstream organisation at the time. Though they were of course quite capable of Instructing anyone interested enough to a very high level of proficiency indeed in their style. I have been fortunate enough to have had more than a few excellent lessons since then also from such highly qualified "unqualified" people. They were and are qualified by ability, experience and understanding.
I realised immediately at the time from simple observation and without any other detailed knowledge that some of these people had a much superior fly-casting system than that which was commonly taught by organisations at the time, or that was on video. It was quite obvious from the capability they displayed and the loop morphology and control they had. I realised this fully when observing and comparing the inferior alternative techniques used and taught by the vast majority of qualified Instructors at the time.
That's is exactly the reason why I was very happy to spend years teaching the style I learned from Peter Anderson and his Instructors such as Brendan Begley without even thinking of taking any qualifications. I had a proven methodology and what is in fact a complete system, one that subsequently allowed me to pass any Instructors exams I have taken with no difficulties occurring in the practical or teaching elements of the exams. Things eventually changed with most other qualified Instruction over the years.
Examinations in Fly-Casting are mainly about teaching ability and learning how to teach fly-casting more effectively. For teaching purposes it is almost incumbent upon an Instructor to be as knowledgeable and professional as possible for their clients. It is therefore usually better to undertake a qualification process with a credible Game Angling or Fly-Casting organisation and import knowledge and techniques on teaching from the collective pool of knowledge held by a reputable organisation and its members.
Importing knowledge from others on teaching is usually helpful and can often be of major benefit, for instance learning the terminology used by the FFF organisation to define casting mechanics and principles. To have qualifications from a reputable or credible organisation also will give the Instructor a certain credibility among those people who may not know the Instructor personally, or from word of mouth recommendation.
A credible fly casting Instructors organisation is one whose main purpose is the edification of all of its membership as fly casters and Instructors, one that always helps and never hinders your progress. One that will contribute to your personal and professional development and help you to reach your full potential. Anything else is of course inappropriate for any professional organisation.
For those based in the U.K. or Ireland I can recommend the GAIA APGAI organisation as a credible organisation interested in your ongoing personal and professional development as a Fly-Casting Instructor. They have regional branches in both the U.K. and Ireland. There are usually some free workshop days in the Republic of Ireland, and indeed elsewhere. These workshop days are organised by the advanced Instructors for potential Instructors to attend. The workshop days go through the required practical examination and teaching process. This organisation has a long history, it is the original world wide recognised brand name and has a world wide membership. You can take an individual test in any single or multiple discipline you like at any time and when you are ready.
The American FFF (Federation of Fly Fishers) have a good system of examinations and certainly the most thorough and respected worldwide. They have a particularly excellent system of fly-casting terminology that allows for precise analysis of Fly-casting mechanics. This is without doubt one of the finest systems of teaching in the world, not only for teaching others but also for correction and fine tuning of ones own casting ability. It is invaluable. There is a certified Instructor- intermediate level exam in single handed casting, then a Master exam in Single handed casting which is an advanced exam. Then there is the THCI - Two Handed Certified Instructor exam for double-handed casting. It is necessary to have the certified exam in single handed casting before taking the THCI , or a qualification in another organisation that is recognised at an equivalent standard or higher than the certified exam.
Fly-casting is a multi faceted, multi layered discipline and it takes a long time to become an Instructor, even longer to become an advanced and experienced Instructor. It is a learning curve and learning process. The best Instructors organisations will also reflect that learning process by having Intermediate level examinations along the way.
The process of going for an examination allows one to think about or learn how to define things a little more. It will usually be necessary to fine tune things a little more, often to learn and practice something new or something that you might normally neglect or continue to neglect but cannot as it is a requirement for your examination.
A cast for an exam is very specifically one in which a reasonably narrow loop unrolls out fully. One which unrolls out fully in the air and then touches down or meets the water just as it unrolls completely. It is done with rod action, correct manipulation of the rod and using good technique and not force. Thats why things like 80 foot dead line roll casts for a 15 ft rod have really nothing much at all to do with the teaching of effective, controlled fly-casting for instance, or indeed fishing.
One also has to clearly define ones methodology and teaching skills clearly and succinctly using the correct terminology for an explanation of your casting style, and your system of teaching it during examinations.
One has to understand terminology for fault finding and the whole process of fault finding. You will also certainly learn from general interaction with others or your examiners about new or different ways of doing things or defining things.
The golden rule about taking examinations is don't ever enter an exam unprepared (one that you do actually have the syllabus for in advance), which if it is a GAIA, FFF or an AAPGAI exam you will have had access to. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
Preparation is all important, one could not be too prepared, that would be impossible. Exams are successfully taken from all the practice and preparation that was put in long before the exam day arrived.
You need to contact someone who has already successfully taken the exams and go through the syllabus in detail with them. There are several elements to an exam, the personal practical skills, knowledge of the theory and physics / mechanics involved, the teaching skills and the fault finding skills. One way to do this is to attend the open workshop days, another way is to take an odd lesson specifically to prepare you for an examination and put in lots of practice on the fundamental principles you learned afterwards.
If you have already learned a system of teaching and a methodology from a style, such as I had for Fulcrum Fly-Casting then fortunately there is no issue, you simply use your system already in place and that you are fluent with to describe and teach your casting. Perhaps ensuring that you are incorporating some of the terminology used by the organisation to better describe it or the FFF terminology which usually has a universal application. This is what I did for every exam that I have taken. I also prepared and practiced for months in advance so that I was in an excellent state of fluency. One cannot be too prepared for an exam. One that you do know the syllabus for that is.
The first thing you will need to do is to decide on which outfit (rod and line) that you are going to use for the examination and then use nothing else but that outfit so that you become totally familiar with it and fine tuned to it. Of course it should be a good, modern, well balanced outfit. For a Double-handed exam the head length of the line will be an issue depending on the exam distances. For double handed exams most of the grain weight should be outside of the top eye making it easier to shoot line to the distances required. Approx 60 to 65 ft heads on 15 ft rods is correct.
You will also need to make up your own tapered leaders for presentation, or use factory made tapered leaders.
Following I will explain what leaders and preparation I used for my exams, the experiences I had taking them, and give some information on answering questions that I provide to people going for exams.
The FFF's T.H.C.I. (Two Handed Certified Instructor) is a serious undertaking. It is a very thorough and demanding exam.
One should be very well prepared for this exam in which almost everything that is done on the right side has to be done on the left side also.
The idea of applying for the THCI exam and then trying to get up to speed for the date set for the exam is really an incorrect approach, unless perhaps you are a Ghillie on a large river and already possess a level of skill that leaves you able for the practical requirements. Despite good intentions, usually life will simply interfere with a deadline. You may find yourself trying to rush practice nearer the time and still not be fluent or proficient enough. Any shortcomings will tell under the pressure of the exam and people simply automatically revert to old technique unless the new refined technique is well and truly in place.
Fluency is what is important, it is essential that all or any struggle with any element of the practical side of things is removed. In Northern Ireland where I grew up there was a saying, you may be able to do something but you still may not "own" it. Owning something is a statement that relates to deep understanding and fluency, being in a comfort zone with it. Falling into automatic mode and control.
The exam should not be applied for until at least every element of the syllabuses practical requirements is able to be done with a degree of certainty, proficiency and control. It is time enough to apply for the exam then and the interim period between getting a date for the exam and having achieved practical ability for it can be used to consolidate or improve that ability.
How do you get prepared? The syllabus is available. Attempt the full syllabus systematically as a mock exam to see where your faults are. Use a real tape measure (not one bought from a joke shop) and not guestimates or estimates. Qualify your line correctly, 80ft from foot to fly - put a marker on the ground 80ft away and make sure your wool or yarn fly reaches just past the mark an inch or two. This will be done in the exam and the line then marked clearly at that distance, plus at an extra twenty feet for shooting line. It will also be marked at ten feet less for some casts done at 70 ft.
Study your loop shape. The final delivery should always produce a good loop shape that unrolls out fully or almost fully in the air with fly turnover occurring every time. This should be the result of good technique and not force. You should have the set up so good that the tension and tautness in the line and rod is felt right from the first inch of the forward cast from using either continuous motion and constant tension or the right pause space and power application on the set up. If you concentrate on forming good loops instead of trying to force things to get the distances then you will make much better progress. The tight loops will unroll out to the distances required anyway, it is the best way. The longer your stroke on the set up (the further back your rod tip is after circling up and as you start the forward stroke) the easier it will be to have good form and control on the forward cast or final delivery.
Pay attention to the detail of the syllabus. You will be asked to make Spey casts suitable for confined spaces with very limited room behind for a D loop. You will also be asked to show normal jump rolls making some with a V loop and some with a D loop. You need to be able to do tasks like those easily and clearly. How difficult it seems for people to make this distinction between D and V loops at times. Low shotgun lift and a straight line incline rod tracking move gives a V loop, a low shotgun lift and a constant tension climbing curve creates the D loop.
Go for a lesson from someone who has taken the exam successfully and without any difficulties. Find from initial experiment an outfit you are comfortable with and then use that outfit exclusively so that you become very familiar with it and fine tuned to it. Of course it should be an efficient and balanced outfit that you do not have to force. I recommend a 15 ft rod and a 65 ft head line, a Carron Twin line 65 or Hardy Mach 65.
Don't spread or dilute effort or practice opportunities but focus your time and effort entirely in one direction each time you practice. Take one task (cast) at a time, perhaps as they occur in the exam, don't try to do everything each practice session. Start with overhead casting and until you are absolutely satisfied that the overhead loops are correct, in the right trajectory, directional control e.t.c. and on both sides of the body. Do not move on unless you have dome this to a reasonable level of proficiency. Get it well understood first on each session dedicated solely to that particular cast and the tasks required in the overhead section of the exam.
As far as time spent is concerned some say a little and often is the right way to practice, for me a lot of time on one task works well so I don't follow the little and often idea. I will actually do something until it is mind numbingly boring but that comes from previous training on technique in Karate which uses very specific and precise multiple repetitions. I personally understand that this type of training replaces muscle memory. Of course with a rod and line there is a lot of feedback from feel and from watching loop shapes, heights, trajectory, direction. One first finds good technique and then practices good technique. Joan Wulff said "there is poor technique done well and then there is good technique." Good technique is most important. Good technique is not only evident visually, (from the effect on loop shape and the elements of control involved such as correct trajectory, direction, fly turnover and distance) but from feel also as the tasks are able to be done with economy of effort. The rod action will be doing the work.
My understanding is that one could not be too prepared for the practical elements of any exam. I think that would be impossible.
It is my considered opinion from long practical experience that the person with the greatest overall understanding of fly-casting and rod loading is Al Buhr of the American FFF organisation and author of the book, Two-Handed Fly Casting - Spey Casting Techniques. I consider myself extremely fortunate indeed to have had some Instruction and mentoring from Al Buhr, and although I had been a Ghillie all my life he could teach me more about double-handed rod casting than I knew existed.
More than that, he is a truly remarkable individual in another way, he is probably about the most genuine and selfless person that I have ever met in my entire life. He will always do something to help someone. I can relate that he has a humbleness, a humanity and a nature of generosity to a degree that it is very rare to find in people.
He is also one of the most fun people to be around having phenomenal wit and a great sense of humour. A truly wonderful person.
More than that, he is a truly remarkable individual in another way, he is probably about the most genuine and selfless person that I have ever met in my entire life. He will always do something to help someone. I can relate that he has a humbleness, a humanity and a nature of generosity to a degree that it is very rare to find in people.
He is also one of the most fun people to be around having phenomenal wit and a great sense of humour. A truly wonderful person.
My THCI Exam Experience
I found myself on the Beaverkill River in Roscoe, Catskills, New York State in November 2004 taking the FFF THCI (Two Handed Casting Instructor) exam. I was there after six months of intense practice for all the FFF exams including the two single handed rod exams - the Certified Instructor and the Master Instructor exams. This was on top of about eighteen years spent using fulcrum fly-casting style as a Ghillie and guide and casting Instructor. For some reason I was actually under the impression at the time that if I did not do any one of the tasks within three casts that I would have failed the exam, this was the impression I had of the FFF which came from some of the European literature at the time, so you can imagine how practiced I was as I just cannot afford to travel to the US normally so it had to really count.
Fortunately for me Alan Maloney at Mount Falcon Hotel where I Ghillied and do some Instruction from time to time contributed considerably to my exam expenses. I had already passed the two single hand rod exams on the two previous days. I asked for a few minutes practice prior to the THCI exam to try another line, I had been told by others also there for the exams who had tried before me that the cold water was affecting the fly line and that the distances were too much and things like that, which turned out to be absolutely not the case at all. I tried the Partridge Ian Gordon Spey line but opted for the Snowbee 3D line to do the exam as it was better for overhead casting. The rod was a Bruce and Walker 15 ft Norway Speycaster. During practice it was like casting in Ireland though the water was colder. I found as I expected from Spring fishing that the cold water had no effect whatsoever on the lines. Were I to do the exam again I would probably opt for a shorter line, most likely a 65 ft head line.
The FFF examiners were very courteous and every effort is made to create a friendly and helpful atmosphere, one in which you are always treated respectfully and encouraged to speak up if there are any queries or problems. They offered a choice of two venues on the large river, I immediately opted for the large glide which had a very steady, smooth and even flow. When I put my waders on Al Buhr commented - well that's a well used pair of waders. They then even asked what order I would like to do the required casts in, if perhaps I preferred all the shorter casts first or right hand casts first. I had so much practice done that I was able to answer that they could run the exam in any order that suited them, that if I was supposed to be an Instructor then I should be able to do any of the required casts on command. I can either do them or not and should be able to, otherwise I should not be standing here. That is the type of answer you should be able to give if taking the exam as you should simply not be concerned at all about any of the casts.
Al Buhr then suggested we would cross the river and do all the casts on the other bank, (left bank, river right) first and then come back over so that when we were finishing we would be beside the vehicle. I crossed over first as he had some more details to discuss with Phil Gay the other examiner. Suddenly the Examiners were calling out to me and pointing for me to look up. A bald eagle casually flew overhead at about tree top height, cruising without flapping his wings, the magnificent large bird looked down on me as he passed almost right over me but slightly to my left. He was following the course of the river. That's a good omen when the National bird turns up for your exam said Al Buhr. He informed me that Bald Eagles were very rare there and it was really something to see one there.
The exam has four elements, one is practical casting tasks, the second is theory. However as you do all the practical elements of the exam the theory is covered at the same time and many questions are asked about casting and casting mechanics to cover the theory thoroughly. The third part is about how you teach and practically teaching and explaining using your teaching methodology, and then the fourth part is fault finding. The practical part of the exam for me was more or less completely automatic off both left and right sides as I had practiced literally for months before hand. It was automatic pilot as I had done so many mock exams from the syllabus before. This is what made the exam finish in under two hours although four hours plus were scheduled. Personally I tell people not to apply for this exam until you are in that state. Don't fool yourself from thinking that your right hand up casting is fine, unless your left side (wrang hoon cast as they say in parts of Scotland - wrong hand cast) is up to it don't even think about applying for the exam. Be harsh with yourself, don't delude yourself, measure the distances, use a tape measure not guestimates. Are your loops fully rolling out in the air in a pointed V loop shape to reach the distance with fly turnover occurring every time? That's what is required. Are you keeping in plane on your off side? I sometimes but not always practiced casts at 90 feet and shooting line to 110 feet so that the exam would be less than what I practiced with.
For the practical part of the THCI exam you have to do two perfect casts of each particular cast required, the second one to show that the first one was not just a lucky one. Everything is done of both right and left sides, left hand up on left side with no reverse casting allowed. On each cast the line should unroll fully in the air and the leader and fly turnover. Most casts are done with 80 feet of lie out to the fly without shooting line, and then done again shooting some line to 100 feet from 80 feet.
I was lucky to have Al Buhr and Phil Gay as examiners. We did some casting just after the exam and when I first seen Al Buhr cast I sure was glad that I hadn't seen him cast at all before the exam or it would have made me very nervous to be casting in front of him. He is a phenomenal caster and he first directed me towards the benefits of the longer stroke, smoother style. I was impressed by the smoothness of his casting, no shock waves in the line, just perfect loops rolling out, beautiful to watch.
Al Buhr has taught me how to Spey cast more efficiently through enabling me to have a greater understanding of what's going on, and in particular how the rod behaves, how it loads and unloads. Of all the people I have ever met and talked to about Spey casting his knowledge is perhaps the most profound and complete I have come across in all aspects of fly-casting, Spey and Overhead, single and double-handed casting. However he is helpful and forthcoming with the information to those that are interested.
I found myself on the Beaverkill River in Roscoe, Catskills, New York State in November 2004 taking the FFF THCI (Two Handed Casting Instructor) exam. I was there after six months of intense practice for all the FFF exams including the two single handed rod exams - the Certified Instructor and the Master Instructor exams. This was on top of about eighteen years spent using fulcrum fly-casting style as a Ghillie and guide and casting Instructor. For some reason I was actually under the impression at the time that if I did not do any one of the tasks within three casts that I would have failed the exam, this was the impression I had of the FFF which came from some of the European literature at the time, so you can imagine how practiced I was as I just cannot afford to travel to the US normally so it had to really count.
Fortunately for me Alan Maloney at Mount Falcon Hotel where I Ghillied and do some Instruction from time to time contributed considerably to my exam expenses. I had already passed the two single hand rod exams on the two previous days. I asked for a few minutes practice prior to the THCI exam to try another line, I had been told by others also there for the exams who had tried before me that the cold water was affecting the fly line and that the distances were too much and things like that, which turned out to be absolutely not the case at all. I tried the Partridge Ian Gordon Spey line but opted for the Snowbee 3D line to do the exam as it was better for overhead casting. The rod was a Bruce and Walker 15 ft Norway Speycaster. During practice it was like casting in Ireland though the water was colder. I found as I expected from Spring fishing that the cold water had no effect whatsoever on the lines. Were I to do the exam again I would probably opt for a shorter line, most likely a 65 ft head line.
The FFF examiners were very courteous and every effort is made to create a friendly and helpful atmosphere, one in which you are always treated respectfully and encouraged to speak up if there are any queries or problems. They offered a choice of two venues on the large river, I immediately opted for the large glide which had a very steady, smooth and even flow. When I put my waders on Al Buhr commented - well that's a well used pair of waders. They then even asked what order I would like to do the required casts in, if perhaps I preferred all the shorter casts first or right hand casts first. I had so much practice done that I was able to answer that they could run the exam in any order that suited them, that if I was supposed to be an Instructor then I should be able to do any of the required casts on command. I can either do them or not and should be able to, otherwise I should not be standing here. That is the type of answer you should be able to give if taking the exam as you should simply not be concerned at all about any of the casts.
Al Buhr then suggested we would cross the river and do all the casts on the other bank, (left bank, river right) first and then come back over so that when we were finishing we would be beside the vehicle. I crossed over first as he had some more details to discuss with Phil Gay the other examiner. Suddenly the Examiners were calling out to me and pointing for me to look up. A bald eagle casually flew overhead at about tree top height, cruising without flapping his wings, the magnificent large bird looked down on me as he passed almost right over me but slightly to my left. He was following the course of the river. That's a good omen when the National bird turns up for your exam said Al Buhr. He informed me that Bald Eagles were very rare there and it was really something to see one there.
The exam has four elements, one is practical casting tasks, the second is theory. However as you do all the practical elements of the exam the theory is covered at the same time and many questions are asked about casting and casting mechanics to cover the theory thoroughly. The third part is about how you teach and practically teaching and explaining using your teaching methodology, and then the fourth part is fault finding. The practical part of the exam for me was more or less completely automatic off both left and right sides as I had practiced literally for months before hand. It was automatic pilot as I had done so many mock exams from the syllabus before. This is what made the exam finish in under two hours although four hours plus were scheduled. Personally I tell people not to apply for this exam until you are in that state. Don't fool yourself from thinking that your right hand up casting is fine, unless your left side (wrang hoon cast as they say in parts of Scotland - wrong hand cast) is up to it don't even think about applying for the exam. Be harsh with yourself, don't delude yourself, measure the distances, use a tape measure not guestimates. Are your loops fully rolling out in the air in a pointed V loop shape to reach the distance with fly turnover occurring every time? That's what is required. Are you keeping in plane on your off side? I sometimes but not always practiced casts at 90 feet and shooting line to 110 feet so that the exam would be less than what I practiced with.
For the practical part of the THCI exam you have to do two perfect casts of each particular cast required, the second one to show that the first one was not just a lucky one. Everything is done of both right and left sides, left hand up on left side with no reverse casting allowed. On each cast the line should unroll fully in the air and the leader and fly turnover. Most casts are done with 80 feet of lie out to the fly without shooting line, and then done again shooting some line to 100 feet from 80 feet.
I was lucky to have Al Buhr and Phil Gay as examiners. We did some casting just after the exam and when I first seen Al Buhr cast I sure was glad that I hadn't seen him cast at all before the exam or it would have made me very nervous to be casting in front of him. He is a phenomenal caster and he first directed me towards the benefits of the longer stroke, smoother style. I was impressed by the smoothness of his casting, no shock waves in the line, just perfect loops rolling out, beautiful to watch.
Al Buhr has taught me how to Spey cast more efficiently through enabling me to have a greater understanding of what's going on, and in particular how the rod behaves, how it loads and unloads. Of all the people I have ever met and talked to about Spey casting his knowledge is perhaps the most profound and complete I have come across in all aspects of fly-casting, Spey and Overhead, single and double-handed casting. However he is helpful and forthcoming with the information to those that are interested.
22. Explain and demonstrate good timing when false casting.
Timing mainly has to do with the length of the pause used. The purpose of the pause is to provide an opportunity for the line to unroll unto the right amount behind before the forward cast is made. The line should not be fully unrolled out stopped and dropping or kicked back, nor only partly unrolled. Ideally it should be almost fully unrolled when the forward cast is started, then as the maximum power is being applied the line will have unrolled fully just prior to this. Too short a pause will cause the line to click or whip crack behind, often causing leader or line damage and cracking off flies. Too long a pause will cause the line to drop very low behind and have lost the dynamics or line speed that would have been turned around into the forward cast with little loss of energy.
teaching fundamentals, loop size, analogies, student involvement line, rod, body, long verses short stroke)
– Longer rod is slower and needs a longer pause, with shorter rods the cast is made faster in tempo and they need a shorter pause.
23. Explain and demonstrate casting into a head wind.
Casting into a head wind requires a smooth and progressive acceleration to maintain loop shape and turn the fly over into the wind. Speed and power may be increased slightly on the forward stroke but the acceleration must still be smooth and progressive.
A narrow leading edge to the loop is essential, a very narrow leading edge is desirable and preferably it should V into the wind, the wind will actually compress it into a V shape if a good cast is made.
A lower trajectory is needed so that the fly turnover occurs just as the line reaches the water level or about an inch above it so that the line cannot be blown back by the wind. This means tilting the arc forward slightly. There will be a higher back cast and lower forward cast. A single haul may be used to assist the forward stroke. Or the standard double haul, what is important is that a haul is made on the forward cast. Leader should be tapered. It is not necessary to lengthen the forward stroke though some may do so to get more of a loading move or line momentum into the forward cast before the final acceleration. – I wouldn’t unless it was a long line. Less power is required for the back stroke as the wind will help the line straighten behind.
Comments: (communication effectiveness, analysis, error recognition teaching fundamentals, loop size, line speed, power,
analogies, student involvement, line, rod, body, double haul, rod position other casts, casting angle)
24. Explain and demonstrate casting with a crosswind blowing into the casting side.
A wind blowing in to the casters side may cause a safety issue depending on the strength of the wind. It may cause the fly to be blown across dangerously close to the anglers head or body. Safety should always be the first concern. If the wind is light it is possible to simply cant / tilt the rod over slightly more to the right for a right hand caster. Alternatively the angler could cast in an oval shape with the back casting stroke kept well out and away from the angler on his right hand side (right hand caster). Sometimes incorrectly called the Belgian Oval cast, it is in fact an Austrian cast devised by Hans Gebetsroither, the Gebetsroither cast. Off shoulder – it is also possible to cast with the right hand off the opposite or off shoulder. There are two ways of casting on the off side, one is to use the hand in front of the other shoulder and the rod is well canted over on that side. The other method is to cant the rod tip over to that side but to have the hand in front of the forehead, almost like saluting in the army. Either way the line is well away from the angler and held away by the wind. Turning around and making what would normally be the back cast the final delivery, aiming low on that cast and high on the set up.
Other methods are casting left handed either overhead or oval. Spey casting or jump roll casting off the left side either off side or using the left hand. Comments: (communication effectiveness, analysis, error recognition, teaching fundamentals, loop size, analogies, student involvement, line, rod, body, other casts, casting angle)
Instructing Ability: Explain and demonstrate a "saltwater type cast". Start with fly in hand and approx 20'- 25' of line extended from rod tip. Shoot to 60' with no more than 2-3 false casts.
A saltwater cast is made usually quite quickly as it has to be made to a moving target from initial sighting by the guide to before it has moved out of range. This means a limited opportunity in terms of time. The caster has to be ready to extend the line and shoot some line with ideally having made only a couple of false casts. The running line must be ready to shoot. The line is stripped out to about sixty feet. Some of it is coiled in three large open loops – about hoola hoop size, it is carefully placed in these large loops on the boat deck. Then there is a large drooping loop of line outside the top eye reaching down to the boat deck and back up to being hooked by the index finger of the rod hand, The fly is also held in the line hand but not inside the fist, the fly is positioned on the outside of the hand or fist. The bend of the hook is lightly wedged between two fingers so the point and eye of the hook is pointing out The line for hauling is held in the index finger and thumb of the line hand. When a fish is spotted and a cast is to be made the loop of line in the index finger is released and swung out with the rod tip, at the same time the fly is pulled free with this loop and as it is simultaneously dropped by opening the fingers of the line hand while the finger and thumb still hold the line for hauling. A back cast is made and hauling commenced, lengthening the line, after about two false casts the final delivery shooting the rest of the line is made. The line being shot on the final delivery is not allowed to shoot uncontrolled and a circle is maintained between the finger and thumb through which the line runs, the finger and thumb held out to the left slightly and more above the coils than the rod so that the line lifts up cleanly without tangling. If when retrieving a fish takes and there was some slack line they use what is called an Angel lift to sort it out. The rod is raised and held out to the right and the circle with the thumb and index finger is made, raised and held out to the left.
Explain and demonstrate the casting technique used to cast a heavily weighted fly or sinking-tip line.
Fast moves and sink tip lines do not go well together, it is necessary to have a steadier slower but progressive rod loading with slightly increased power application and a more open loop. It may be necessary to make preliminary roll cast and also to hand line in some line starting off with a shorter more manageable line to make the cast and then shooting the rest that is required for the fishing presentation or distance used on the final delivery. With a heavily weighted fly the fly must not crash into the rod blank or hit the angler, as well as slower more open loop more power the angler may also tilt the rod further over to the side to keep the fly away from his person and hopefully the rod blank. A more open loop will prevent the fly from hitting the rod.
Explain and demonstrate "change of direction casts". (i.e. from a downstream position to an upstream position).
Change of direction casts are made with both overhead casts and spey / roll casts, and combination casts using line placing moves then a final delivery or cast. On a small change of direction – up to 30 degrees – the change is made by moving the rod in line with the new casting direction before making the cast and it is then moved in a 180 degree plane in the new direction of the cast, that is including the initial back casting stroke. There is no attempt to curve the line on the cast or to change rod planes from back to forward cast, this will work with an angle change of up to 30 degrees, to make a larger angle change then two consecutive casts may be made each one taking up some of the angle change and none attempted at more than 30 degrees. Occasionally a little sack line may be created by moving the rod tip into the new plane, it is then very important that a normal cast is not made, initially a slower steadier move is made to take up the little bit of slack first and then progressive acceleration at a slightly faster rate than normal is applied.
Explain and demonstrate casting with a strong head wind, tail wind and wind from either side.
Strong Head Wind – see answer 23 above
Wind from the right side for a right handed caster– see answer 24 above
Wind from the left side for a right handed caster (or from right side for left handed caster) – no alteration is necessary for a light wind the arc may be tilted forward slightly so that the fly turns over just an inch above the water surface or on the surface so that the wind cannot blows it sideways after turning over. If it turned over higher and was dropping the wind could carry it sideways. In a stronger side wind from the left some alteration in the direction of the cast may be necessary to allow for the wind blowing the line across to the right as the loop rolls out.
Strong Tail Wind – The most important aspect of casting in a strong tail wind is making a good back cast with a very tight loop that turns over fully behind. More power application and a smooth haul is necessary for the back cast. Forming a tight loop is necessary and I would consider that on the back cast the line should be level rather than aimed upwards to better penetrate the wind. I will use an open stance and turn the upper body and effectively poke the line back with some thrust as well as angle change, the rod finishing tilted well back to create a tighter V loop. The forward cast can be aimed high as the wind will carry plenty of line out or made as a more open loop with less power as the wind will still roll it out.
Timing mainly has to do with the length of the pause used. The purpose of the pause is to provide an opportunity for the line to unroll unto the right amount behind before the forward cast is made. The line should not be fully unrolled out stopped and dropping or kicked back, nor only partly unrolled. Ideally it should be almost fully unrolled when the forward cast is started, then as the maximum power is being applied the line will have unrolled fully just prior to this. Too short a pause will cause the line to click or whip crack behind, often causing leader or line damage and cracking off flies. Too long a pause will cause the line to drop very low behind and have lost the dynamics or line speed that would have been turned around into the forward cast with little loss of energy.
teaching fundamentals, loop size, analogies, student involvement line, rod, body, long verses short stroke)
– Longer rod is slower and needs a longer pause, with shorter rods the cast is made faster in tempo and they need a shorter pause.
23. Explain and demonstrate casting into a head wind.
Casting into a head wind requires a smooth and progressive acceleration to maintain loop shape and turn the fly over into the wind. Speed and power may be increased slightly on the forward stroke but the acceleration must still be smooth and progressive.
A narrow leading edge to the loop is essential, a very narrow leading edge is desirable and preferably it should V into the wind, the wind will actually compress it into a V shape if a good cast is made.
A lower trajectory is needed so that the fly turnover occurs just as the line reaches the water level or about an inch above it so that the line cannot be blown back by the wind. This means tilting the arc forward slightly. There will be a higher back cast and lower forward cast. A single haul may be used to assist the forward stroke. Or the standard double haul, what is important is that a haul is made on the forward cast. Leader should be tapered. It is not necessary to lengthen the forward stroke though some may do so to get more of a loading move or line momentum into the forward cast before the final acceleration. – I wouldn’t unless it was a long line. Less power is required for the back stroke as the wind will help the line straighten behind.
Comments: (communication effectiveness, analysis, error recognition teaching fundamentals, loop size, line speed, power,
analogies, student involvement, line, rod, body, double haul, rod position other casts, casting angle)
24. Explain and demonstrate casting with a crosswind blowing into the casting side.
A wind blowing in to the casters side may cause a safety issue depending on the strength of the wind. It may cause the fly to be blown across dangerously close to the anglers head or body. Safety should always be the first concern. If the wind is light it is possible to simply cant / tilt the rod over slightly more to the right for a right hand caster. Alternatively the angler could cast in an oval shape with the back casting stroke kept well out and away from the angler on his right hand side (right hand caster). Sometimes incorrectly called the Belgian Oval cast, it is in fact an Austrian cast devised by Hans Gebetsroither, the Gebetsroither cast. Off shoulder – it is also possible to cast with the right hand off the opposite or off shoulder. There are two ways of casting on the off side, one is to use the hand in front of the other shoulder and the rod is well canted over on that side. The other method is to cant the rod tip over to that side but to have the hand in front of the forehead, almost like saluting in the army. Either way the line is well away from the angler and held away by the wind. Turning around and making what would normally be the back cast the final delivery, aiming low on that cast and high on the set up.
Other methods are casting left handed either overhead or oval. Spey casting or jump roll casting off the left side either off side or using the left hand. Comments: (communication effectiveness, analysis, error recognition, teaching fundamentals, loop size, analogies, student involvement, line, rod, body, other casts, casting angle)
Instructing Ability: Explain and demonstrate a "saltwater type cast". Start with fly in hand and approx 20'- 25' of line extended from rod tip. Shoot to 60' with no more than 2-3 false casts.
A saltwater cast is made usually quite quickly as it has to be made to a moving target from initial sighting by the guide to before it has moved out of range. This means a limited opportunity in terms of time. The caster has to be ready to extend the line and shoot some line with ideally having made only a couple of false casts. The running line must be ready to shoot. The line is stripped out to about sixty feet. Some of it is coiled in three large open loops – about hoola hoop size, it is carefully placed in these large loops on the boat deck. Then there is a large drooping loop of line outside the top eye reaching down to the boat deck and back up to being hooked by the index finger of the rod hand, The fly is also held in the line hand but not inside the fist, the fly is positioned on the outside of the hand or fist. The bend of the hook is lightly wedged between two fingers so the point and eye of the hook is pointing out The line for hauling is held in the index finger and thumb of the line hand. When a fish is spotted and a cast is to be made the loop of line in the index finger is released and swung out with the rod tip, at the same time the fly is pulled free with this loop and as it is simultaneously dropped by opening the fingers of the line hand while the finger and thumb still hold the line for hauling. A back cast is made and hauling commenced, lengthening the line, after about two false casts the final delivery shooting the rest of the line is made. The line being shot on the final delivery is not allowed to shoot uncontrolled and a circle is maintained between the finger and thumb through which the line runs, the finger and thumb held out to the left slightly and more above the coils than the rod so that the line lifts up cleanly without tangling. If when retrieving a fish takes and there was some slack line they use what is called an Angel lift to sort it out. The rod is raised and held out to the right and the circle with the thumb and index finger is made, raised and held out to the left.
Explain and demonstrate the casting technique used to cast a heavily weighted fly or sinking-tip line.
Fast moves and sink tip lines do not go well together, it is necessary to have a steadier slower but progressive rod loading with slightly increased power application and a more open loop. It may be necessary to make preliminary roll cast and also to hand line in some line starting off with a shorter more manageable line to make the cast and then shooting the rest that is required for the fishing presentation or distance used on the final delivery. With a heavily weighted fly the fly must not crash into the rod blank or hit the angler, as well as slower more open loop more power the angler may also tilt the rod further over to the side to keep the fly away from his person and hopefully the rod blank. A more open loop will prevent the fly from hitting the rod.
Explain and demonstrate "change of direction casts". (i.e. from a downstream position to an upstream position).
Change of direction casts are made with both overhead casts and spey / roll casts, and combination casts using line placing moves then a final delivery or cast. On a small change of direction – up to 30 degrees – the change is made by moving the rod in line with the new casting direction before making the cast and it is then moved in a 180 degree plane in the new direction of the cast, that is including the initial back casting stroke. There is no attempt to curve the line on the cast or to change rod planes from back to forward cast, this will work with an angle change of up to 30 degrees, to make a larger angle change then two consecutive casts may be made each one taking up some of the angle change and none attempted at more than 30 degrees. Occasionally a little sack line may be created by moving the rod tip into the new plane, it is then very important that a normal cast is not made, initially a slower steadier move is made to take up the little bit of slack first and then progressive acceleration at a slightly faster rate than normal is applied.
Explain and demonstrate casting with a strong head wind, tail wind and wind from either side.
Strong Head Wind – see answer 23 above
Wind from the right side for a right handed caster– see answer 24 above
Wind from the left side for a right handed caster (or from right side for left handed caster) – no alteration is necessary for a light wind the arc may be tilted forward slightly so that the fly turns over just an inch above the water surface or on the surface so that the wind cannot blows it sideways after turning over. If it turned over higher and was dropping the wind could carry it sideways. In a stronger side wind from the left some alteration in the direction of the cast may be necessary to allow for the wind blowing the line across to the right as the loop rolls out.
Strong Tail Wind – The most important aspect of casting in a strong tail wind is making a good back cast with a very tight loop that turns over fully behind. More power application and a smooth haul is necessary for the back cast. Forming a tight loop is necessary and I would consider that on the back cast the line should be level rather than aimed upwards to better penetrate the wind. I will use an open stance and turn the upper body and effectively poke the line back with some thrust as well as angle change, the rod finishing tilted well back to create a tighter V loop. The forward cast can be aimed high as the wind will carry plenty of line out or made as a more open loop with less power as the wind will still roll it out.
Single-handed rod
One of the things to practice thoroughly before taking any single handed exam is the accuracy requirements. From my experience as an assessor this is one area where there are regular difficulties in single handed exams. It is simply a matter of preparation. When I had to do this I set up children's hoola hoops at distances in my back yard and left a rod sitting there six months before I took the exams. I don't think that scarcely a day went by where I didn't go out about four to six times a day for about ten to twenty minutes, perhaps a half hour just practicing for the accuracy. My system was watching the bottom leg of the line unroll out during the false cast, when I seen that it would have been right I then committed on the next cast as it is easy for the arm to do again what it just did, commit means do the same thing, not used extra force or do anything that would make you cause to deviate off what you just did. It has to be practiced off shoulder as well and without hauling. Don't let something like this bother you, sheer familiarity with it will make it easier. I used an eight foot leader made up of 50% 30lb line, 25% 20 pound line and 25% 10lb line, I would stretch the leader and used a piece of wool only the size of a pea.
The main purpose of the accuracy test is to show the use the right stroke length and trajectory to unroll the line onto the target for the length of line out, the first target should be achieved using a very narrow fast unrolling loop at a steep trajectory from a short rod tip movement. The arc tilted to obtain the correct trajectory. The middle target with a medium stroke length and tilting the arc forward less for a different trajectory.
Some examination questions and suggested answers - single-handed rod
INSTRUCTING ABILITY
The Federation of Fly Fishers Five essentials / principles of Fly-Casting
These originated with Bill and Jay Gammel
1. There is a pause at the end of each stroke, which varies in duration with the amount of line beyond the rod tip
This means that at the end of the back casting stroke the angler must pause briefly to allow the fly line to unroll out behind before making the forward casting stroke. The pause will vary in duration with the length of line being cast, the longer the line the longer the pause. At the end of each back casting stoke and at the end of each forward casting stroke the caster must pause long enough to allow the line to unroll out behind or in front before making the next casting stroke.
2. Slack line should be kept to a minimum
Ideally there should be no slack line. The elimination of slack line is the most efficient manner in which to cast a fly line. Start with the rod tip low and the line straight.
3. The rod tip must follow a straight line path
In order to form the most efficient, least air resistant loops. In order not to waste energy and to direct the cast properly, the caster must move the rod tip in a straight line path (in both vertical and horizontal planes). The rod tip does move down out of the way and out of the straight line path (vertical plane) at the end of the stroke. (due to the angle change from controlled wrist movement on a single handed rod).
4. Casting arc is increased with the length of line being cast.
The arc is the angle the rod tip travels from its starting position to its stopping position during a casting stroke. Stroke and arc may get confused. Stroke is the distance the hand moves.
5. Power must be applied in the proper amount and in the proper place during the stroke.
Power is applied smoothly and progressively. It is applied in an increasing amount with most of it happening during the controlled wrist movement at the end of the stroke.
Firstly the five essentials / principles of the FFF (from Bill and Jay Gammel) and how they all inter relate in fly casting is the main aspect or the basis of teaching fly-casting for the Americans. These essentials or definitions should always be on the tip of your tounge if they are relevant to any question you are asked during an exam.
It is important to always mention No slack line, Pause, Arc, Straight line path and Power application if their adjustment or use is particularly important in the technique described, or in correcting a fault being described. A good way to remember them is the word SNAPP with two P's. Straight line path, No slack line, Arc, Pause, Power.
Closely related topics should always be to the fore in your thinking and explanations also such as rod tip path in particular, which will often be made deliberately different from the normally correct straight line path to open out a loop. Also terms like Stroke, Acceleration, tilt of the arc / trajectory, loading move, power snap, controlled wrist break, RSP to RSP - rod starting position to rod stopping position.
18. Explain and demonstrate how to cast narrow to wide loops
Make a practical demonstration of loop shape on the ground using the fly line. Show the difference between wide and narrow loops this way to start off with by re arranging the line. Make sure that you point out the top leg, the bottom leg and the leading edge. You should mention what a parallel loop is and a V loop. Mention that a good loop doesn't cross over or tail.
A parallel loop - when the top leg of a loop is unrolling out over the bottom leg without touching, crossing over, tangling, tailing, collapsing into a pile of squiggles or skewing off to the left or right and it looks like two parallel lines joined in front by the curve of the leading edge. The distance between the top and the bottom leg is the width of the parallel loop.
I prefer a V loop and the legs of a V loop are not quite parallel as they converge. I consider a V loop is correct and more efficient, better able to penetrate the wind also.
Loop width is determined by the rod tip path used, it is necessary to alter the rod tip path to change the loop shape. In particular what matters is how much the rod tip is allowed to drop down out of what would be the normal straight line path (vertical plane) for the stroke length used on either the forward or backward casting stroke. A more domed or convex rod tip path in a slightly wider arc is used to create more open loops. The greater from 180 degrees the rod tip path's convex shape for the amount of line out, the wider the loop will be that forms. The tempo and acceleration of the cast is not increased, if anything it may be decreased slightly to prevent a more straight line path occurring. Stroke length may be the same or increased slightly due to the slower tempo.
The amount the rod tip is allowed to drop down out of what would be the normal straight line path in the vertical plane for the amount of line out dictates loop width. The further it is allowed to drop down the wider the loop.
It can be allowed to drop down in front and remain correct behind creating a normal tight loop behind and a more open loop in front. It can be kept normal in front and allowed to drop down behind thus creating an open loop behind and a correct loop in front. Or the loop can be opened out both in front and behind. If you demonstrate this ability practically it will be a very effective teaching aid.
Rod tip path is the key phrase, deliberately leaving the normal vertical straight line path to make a more domed path is the key point.
One analogy that I have heard is if you are in a room painting the ceiling for a straight line path of the rod tip, and painting the ceiling and the tops of the widows and doors for the more open loop. I don't use it, it is also used to describe not having controlled wrist break.
19. Explain and demonstrate the cause and correction of tailing loops
Tailing loops are always caused by a concave rod tip path of less than 180 degrees (in the vertical plane), for whatever reason this happens.
Show practically what a tailing loop is with the line on the ground or from a simple demonstration by aerialising a short piece of line. Explain that this is the cause of what are called wind knots in the leader, which are not in fact wind knot but bad casting knots caused by tailing loops.
Mention in particular the main causes, notably,
1. An abrupt or sudden application of power, usually early in the stroke
2. Not making a smooth or progressive acceleration
Both of the above are similar and are usually executed together thus breaking the 5th essential of the FFF on the proper amount of power in the proper place during the stroke.
3. Creep or rebound from wrist break both of which use up possible forward stroke length to no avail as the line is unrolling out behind
4. Using too short a stroke for the amount of line out - without any creep.
5. Trying to make too tight a loop
6. overpowering
Any other cause you can think of - my personal experience and teaching is that if a progressive acceleration is made when using the correct stroke length then a tailing loop impossible, even if excessive force or speed is used. Why? the rod tip stays down and does not get a chance to rise again and so cannot cause a concave movement.
I also believe that the leader or profile of the front taper or length of the tip on the line or overall set up of the line can cause tailing loops to occur more easily or less easily depending on how it is altered.
Personally I often cast with a softer rod on purpose to fine tune technique and to keep my acceleration very fine tuned. Softer rods are more likely to cause tailing loops with sudden and abrupt or erratic power application. They are more likely to tail and highlight flaws in technique or in acceleration.
20. Explain Rod Loading
A rod deflected into a curve, or bent / compressed, is a loaded rod.
The rod is flexible, it is a flexible lever. It will therefore deflect into a curve when leverage and acceleration is applied that changes the angle and position of the rod against the weight and resistance of the fly line. The rod will then straighten when it gets the opportunity to do so - once the angle change (Usually) or sometimes both angle and position change is stopped.
The fact that the rod is flexible is exactly what allows the rod tip to travel in a straight line through the arc, or almost straight line, the rod does do a slightly convex shape usually and it drops down slightly at the end of the stroke. That's why the rod is flexible and we could not cast effectively with a stiff pole or something that didn't flex - like a broom shaft.
The fly line is the weight used to compress/deflect the rod into a curve, or 'load' the rod. The fly line is the weight cast by the rod and not the fly, the leader and the fly is simply towed along by the line. The more line that is placed outside the rod tip the deeper the rod will deflect into a curve or load. The line weight is also matched to the strength of the rod with an AFTM number rating to ensure optimum loading and that the rod is not overloaded or under loaded in normal casting.
Through applying leverage and motion with arm and body movements we can change both the angle and position of the rod. This is what will cause the rod to deflect into a curve or load against the weight and resistance of the fly line. When we suddenly stop this movement (the angle change alone, or both angle and position change of the rod), the rod will undeflect or unload along its taper towards the tip. The rod is tapered getting thinner towards the tip. As it undeflects, the energy leaving the larger mass at the bottom part of the rod traveling into the lesser mass at the thinner top part of the rod generates speed in the rod tip. The rod does not just straighten and stop but it counter flexes.A rapid rod tip turnover speed is created as the rod tip counter flexes from the rod blank unflexing or unloading.
For a correctly shaped loop to form and the line to unroll out fully with fly turnover occurring correctly the rod loading leverage and movement up to the stop must be made progressively as an acceleration.
Analogy - Bow and arrow, the rod is like a bow
21 Explain and demonstrate the casting stroke as it relates to changes in distance.
The stroke is the distance the rod hand moves during either a backward or a forward casting stroke including any continuous motion movement, drift or loading move. All movement of the hand used to manage the line including while it is unrolling is stroke.
The longer the line outside of the top eye, the greater the weight and the deeper it will load the rod or deflect the rod into a curve. This will also take a longer time and space to happen and it will occur over a longer movement of the rod. Therefore a longer stroke is required for a longer line. It takes a longer time and greater movement to generate line momentum and load the rod fully with the longer line, (incidentally, the straight line path in the vertical plane will be lower because of the deeper deflection of the rod).
In the fly-casting videos made by American single handed fly-casting Instructor Phil Gay, the term LAPS is used to denote the relationship between the line, the arc, the pause and the stroke. If the line is longer then all the other things must be longer, if the line is shorter then the other things are shorter. Some people use the word PALS as a reminder of the same thing.
On a shorter line the tip of the rod is able with a short movement to unroll a narrow loop of line with mainly wrist motion and minimal arm movement. The stance may be closed. This can be seen in the short range accuracy casts. With a medium length of line a short arm movement and wrist movement combined handle the slightly longer line and load the rod more, the middle and tip of the rod is used. This can be seen on the medium range accuracy casts. The stance may still be closed. With a longer length of line the whole arm makes the hand travel much further, as does sometimes upper body movement and weight shift. Upper body rotation and weight shift may be done with a closed stance but are usually more easily done from an open stance. The rod loads very deeply as there is much more weight of line in the air outside the rod tip. The difference between the casts as far as stroke is concerned is that the rod hand travels further with a longer line.
Make a practical demonstration of loop shape on the ground using the fly line. Show the difference between wide and narrow loops this way to start off with by re arranging the line. Make sure that you point out the top leg, the bottom leg and the leading edge. You should mention what a parallel loop is and a V loop. Mention that a good loop doesn't cross over or tail.
A parallel loop - when the top leg of a loop is unrolling out over the bottom leg without touching, crossing over, tangling, tailing, collapsing into a pile of squiggles or skewing off to the left or right and it looks like two parallel lines joined in front by the curve of the leading edge. The distance between the top and the bottom leg is the width of the parallel loop.
I prefer a V loop and the legs of a V loop are not quite parallel as they converge. I consider a V loop is correct and more efficient, better able to penetrate the wind also.
Loop width is determined by the rod tip path used, it is necessary to alter the rod tip path to change the loop shape. In particular what matters is how much the rod tip is allowed to drop down out of what would be the normal straight line path (vertical plane) for the stroke length used on either the forward or backward casting stroke. A more domed or convex rod tip path in a slightly wider arc is used to create more open loops. The greater from 180 degrees the rod tip path's convex shape for the amount of line out, the wider the loop will be that forms. The tempo and acceleration of the cast is not increased, if anything it may be decreased slightly to prevent a more straight line path occurring. Stroke length may be the same or increased slightly due to the slower tempo.
The amount the rod tip is allowed to drop down out of what would be the normal straight line path in the vertical plane for the amount of line out dictates loop width. The further it is allowed to drop down the wider the loop.
It can be allowed to drop down in front and remain correct behind creating a normal tight loop behind and a more open loop in front. It can be kept normal in front and allowed to drop down behind thus creating an open loop behind and a correct loop in front. Or the loop can be opened out both in front and behind. If you demonstrate this ability practically it will be a very effective teaching aid.
Rod tip path is the key phrase, deliberately leaving the normal vertical straight line path to make a more domed path is the key point.
One analogy that I have heard is if you are in a room painting the ceiling for a straight line path of the rod tip, and painting the ceiling and the tops of the widows and doors for the more open loop. I don't use it, it is also used to describe not having controlled wrist break.
19. Explain and demonstrate the cause and correction of tailing loops
Tailing loops are always caused by a concave rod tip path of less than 180 degrees (in the vertical plane), for whatever reason this happens.
Show practically what a tailing loop is with the line on the ground or from a simple demonstration by aerialising a short piece of line. Explain that this is the cause of what are called wind knots in the leader, which are not in fact wind knot but bad casting knots caused by tailing loops.
Mention in particular the main causes, notably,
1. An abrupt or sudden application of power, usually early in the stroke
2. Not making a smooth or progressive acceleration
Both of the above are similar and are usually executed together thus breaking the 5th essential of the FFF on the proper amount of power in the proper place during the stroke.
3. Creep or rebound from wrist break both of which use up possible forward stroke length to no avail as the line is unrolling out behind
4. Using too short a stroke for the amount of line out - without any creep.
5. Trying to make too tight a loop
6. overpowering
Any other cause you can think of - my personal experience and teaching is that if a progressive acceleration is made when using the correct stroke length then a tailing loop impossible, even if excessive force or speed is used. Why? the rod tip stays down and does not get a chance to rise again and so cannot cause a concave movement.
I also believe that the leader or profile of the front taper or length of the tip on the line or overall set up of the line can cause tailing loops to occur more easily or less easily depending on how it is altered.
Personally I often cast with a softer rod on purpose to fine tune technique and to keep my acceleration very fine tuned. Softer rods are more likely to cause tailing loops with sudden and abrupt or erratic power application. They are more likely to tail and highlight flaws in technique or in acceleration.
20. Explain Rod Loading
A rod deflected into a curve, or bent / compressed, is a loaded rod.
The rod is flexible, it is a flexible lever. It will therefore deflect into a curve when leverage and acceleration is applied that changes the angle and position of the rod against the weight and resistance of the fly line. The rod will then straighten when it gets the opportunity to do so - once the angle change (Usually) or sometimes both angle and position change is stopped.
The fact that the rod is flexible is exactly what allows the rod tip to travel in a straight line through the arc, or almost straight line, the rod does do a slightly convex shape usually and it drops down slightly at the end of the stroke. That's why the rod is flexible and we could not cast effectively with a stiff pole or something that didn't flex - like a broom shaft.
The fly line is the weight used to compress/deflect the rod into a curve, or 'load' the rod. The fly line is the weight cast by the rod and not the fly, the leader and the fly is simply towed along by the line. The more line that is placed outside the rod tip the deeper the rod will deflect into a curve or load. The line weight is also matched to the strength of the rod with an AFTM number rating to ensure optimum loading and that the rod is not overloaded or under loaded in normal casting.
Through applying leverage and motion with arm and body movements we can change both the angle and position of the rod. This is what will cause the rod to deflect into a curve or load against the weight and resistance of the fly line. When we suddenly stop this movement (the angle change alone, or both angle and position change of the rod), the rod will undeflect or unload along its taper towards the tip. The rod is tapered getting thinner towards the tip. As it undeflects, the energy leaving the larger mass at the bottom part of the rod traveling into the lesser mass at the thinner top part of the rod generates speed in the rod tip. The rod does not just straighten and stop but it counter flexes.A rapid rod tip turnover speed is created as the rod tip counter flexes from the rod blank unflexing or unloading.
For a correctly shaped loop to form and the line to unroll out fully with fly turnover occurring correctly the rod loading leverage and movement up to the stop must be made progressively as an acceleration.
Analogy - Bow and arrow, the rod is like a bow
21 Explain and demonstrate the casting stroke as it relates to changes in distance.
The stroke is the distance the rod hand moves during either a backward or a forward casting stroke including any continuous motion movement, drift or loading move. All movement of the hand used to manage the line including while it is unrolling is stroke.
The longer the line outside of the top eye, the greater the weight and the deeper it will load the rod or deflect the rod into a curve. This will also take a longer time and space to happen and it will occur over a longer movement of the rod. Therefore a longer stroke is required for a longer line. It takes a longer time and greater movement to generate line momentum and load the rod fully with the longer line, (incidentally, the straight line path in the vertical plane will be lower because of the deeper deflection of the rod).
In the fly-casting videos made by American single handed fly-casting Instructor Phil Gay, the term LAPS is used to denote the relationship between the line, the arc, the pause and the stroke. If the line is longer then all the other things must be longer, if the line is shorter then the other things are shorter. Some people use the word PALS as a reminder of the same thing.
On a shorter line the tip of the rod is able with a short movement to unroll a narrow loop of line with mainly wrist motion and minimal arm movement. The stance may be closed. This can be seen in the short range accuracy casts. With a medium length of line a short arm movement and wrist movement combined handle the slightly longer line and load the rod more, the middle and tip of the rod is used. This can be seen on the medium range accuracy casts. The stance may still be closed. With a longer length of line the whole arm makes the hand travel much further, as does sometimes upper body movement and weight shift. Upper body rotation and weight shift may be done with a closed stance but are usually more easily done from an open stance. The rod loads very deeply as there is much more weight of line in the air outside the rod tip. The difference between the casts as far as stroke is concerned is that the rod hand travels further with a longer line.