Section 2, Chapter 4 - Understanding Casting Mechanics

Question 1

What are the 5 Casting Mechanics?

Answer 1

1. Force must be applied in a smooth application in the proper amount at the proper place in the stroke from RSP to RSP.
2. SLACK LINE should be kept to an absolute minimum - There can be no SLACK in the casting system during application of power, when rod tip must be pulling against a taut line.
3. The PATH OF THE ROD TIP during the casting stroke determines the shape of the loop.

The ROD TIP MUST TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE, RSP to RSP (old - STP - straight tip path) in the horizontal and the vertical - this is TRACKING

4. The size of the CASTING ARC must vary with the length of the line past the rod tip;

***The CASTING ARC (angle) through which the rod butt travels from RSP to RSP (old STP), must vary with the amount of bend (load) placed on rod.

5. There must be a pause at the end of each stroke, which varies in duration with:
   - the amount of line beyond the rod tip; and
   - varying with the time it takes to STRAIGHTEN.

Question 2

What is the 1st Casting mechanic?

Answer 2

Force must be applied in a smooth application in the proper amount at the proper place in the stroke from RSP to RSP.

Question 3

What exercise visualizes why proper amount of Force is important?

Answer 3

Flicking water off paint brush

Question 4

What happens if we start a cast with too much Force/acceleration?

Answer 4

We will bend the rod to a degree that we cannot maintain, resulting in an ineffective loop.

Question 5

What happens if we start a cast too slowly?

Answer 5

We will need to apply force/acceleration too abruptly later in the stroke also creating tailing or otherwise ineffective loops.

Question 6

What happens if we If we fail to stop the rod firmly?

Answer 6

We will have an ineffective cast usually manifested by an open loop due to line not straightening out on the cast.

Question 7

Acceleration should remain _____ throughout the stroke.

Answer 7

Constant.

Question 8

What does a Positive (abrupt) Stop do?

Answer 8

A positive stop will help prevent open or ineffective loops.

It does this by completing the efficient transfer of energy from you to the rod, which then straightens to release energy to the fly line.

Question 9

What is the 2nd Casting mechanic?

Answer 9

Slack line should be kept to an absolute
minimum.

Question 10

How does the rod loads, or bend?

Answer 10

When it is accelerated against the weight of the line.

Question 11

How can you load the rod more smoothly?

Answer 11

Take out any slack.

Question 12

The energy stored in the loaded rod represents approximately _____% of the total energy applied by the caster

Answer 12

20%

Question 13

What is the 3rd Casting mechanic?

Answer 13

The path of the rod tip during the casting stroke determines the shape of the loop.

The ROD TIP MUST TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE, RSP to RSP (old - STP - straight tip path) in the horizontal and the vertical - this is TRACKING

Question 14

What is considered to be good casting instruction to get a narrow loop?

Answer 14

Bill Grammel summarizes that in order to get a tight, straight loop…the rod tip must TRAVEL AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO A STRAIGHT-LINE DURING THE CASTING STROKE.

To do this there are FIVE things that must happen:

1. The ROD TIP MUST TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE, RSP to RSP (old - STP - straight tip path) in the horizontal and the vertical - this is TRACKING, and is accomplished by properly executing the remaining 4 essentials:
2. The CASTING ARC (angle) through which the rod butt travels from RSP to RSP (old STP), must vary with the amount of bend (load) placed on rod;
3. There can be no SLACK in the casting system during application of power, when rod tip must be pulling against a taut line.
4. Appropriate acceleration - you must have APPROPRIATE APPLICATION OF FORCE (POWER) in a SMOOTH ACCELERATION from RSP to RSP.
5. You must have a PAUSE between each cast varying with the time it takes to STRAIGHTEN.

Question 15

What is the 4th Casting mechanic?

Answer 15

The size of the casting arc must vary with the length of line past the rod tip.

The CASTING ARC (angle) through which the rod butt travels from RSP to RSP (old STP), must vary with the amount of bend (load) placed on rod.

Question 16

As the length of the line increases, the weight of the added line does what? And what must be done to create a STP and a resultant narrow loop?

Answer 16

Increases the rod bend.

The casting arc must increase.

Question 17

The casting arc becomes wider….

Answer 17

The longer the line.

Question 18

As was mentioned in Casting Mechanic #1, increasing ________allows you to build up speed (acceleration) over a longer distance.

Answer 18

stroke length

Question 19

The only factors that absolutely need to change as you increase distance from 35’ to 45’, are?

Answer 19

force, casting arc, and the length of the pause.

Question 20

What is stair casing and spiraling method of learning?

Answer 20

Building new skills on the foundation of previous skills, and constantly reviewing previously learned skills.

Question 21

What is the 5th Casting mechanic?

Answer 21

There must be a pause at the end of each stroke, which varies in duration with the amount of line beyond the rod tip allowing the line to straighten before next cast.

Question 22

The statement “The longer the line, the longer the pause. The shorter the line, the shorter the pause.” assumes what?

Answer 22

Similiar line speed,

Question 23

What happens if pause is not long enough?

Answer 23

The line is not entirely straight behind us and we do not take slack out of backcast.

Question 24

If our pause is too long what happens to line?

Answer 24

Line begins to fall before forward stroke creating slack in system.

Question 25

What is a good loop?

Answer 25

It is one that delivers the fly to its intended target with efficiency and consistency.

Question 26

Assuming we have no slack, what is needed for a good loop (5)?

Answer 26

Refer to Grammels remaining 4 essentials plus a good stop:

Appropriate acceleration,
Proper casting arc,
Firm stop and
Good timing
The loop shape is determined by the rod tip’s path (SLP) during the casting stroke.

Question 27

What is best way to increase casting Arc?

Answer 27

Lengthen casting stroke or increase line speed.

Question 28

Why is the 180 degree rule important?

Answer 28

B. Grammel explains it is necessary to get a straight-line path.