Inconsistency of casting instruction

Here's something I've wanted to write about for some time. The inconsistency of casting instruction and many (if any?) instructors don't know it's there... Recently I ran into this video that contains the footages I have been looking for. By the way, I love the setting in Patagonia and the instructor is great.




1) Instructor demonstrating the basic casting stroke
The instructor demonstrates how to make a nice tight loop cast (starting around 5:30). His casting stroke is smooth, compact (no 'large movements') & elegant. Look at his casting style: (almost) vertical casting stroke (aka San Fransisco's Golden Gate casting club style) using his shoulder and (mainly) lower arm, all moving in one plane. Similar to how you move your arms when you run. This casting movement (a '2D' movement') is quite easy to get it, especially for beginners.

2) Inconsistency of instruction
Later on, while helping a student he holds the student's hand and shows the casting movement (around 8:55). The instructor's casting movement is the same vertical casting style while the student is 'forced' into the side arm (like when you raise your arms after 'hands up!') casting stroke with his lower and upper arm to the side in a 90 degree position making casting movement very awkward. This position also puts lots of stress on the shoulder.

This side arm (using predominately your elbow) casting movement is a much more complex '3D' movement as it involves your elbow, upper arm and a bit of your shoulder joints (3 joints!) all moving in different directions. This is quite confusing for beginner. Try casting using this movement with your non casting arm and you know what I mean 😀.

I know it's not easy to stand next to each other and positioning both arms symmetrically. However if you want to teach the student the casting stroke you promote, the movement of the instructor needs to position the student in the casting 'path' you want to instruct, otherwise you're confusing the student (and the student is probably not even aware that he is confused!). This inconsistency will result in the student learning the 'wrong' casting stroke. See the student's casting style that he is trying to master around 8:40, look at the student in the pink sweater next to him too, same casting movement.

Ps.
Casting styles is a whole different subject on its own. Different casting styles can be used depending on the type of fishing (for instance with weighted flies), conditions (wind) and/or target (under a branch). One style isn't better than the other, just be aware that when teaching students one needs to be consistent and not mix casting styles in the instruction.

Here's an article about different casting styles.

When Harry met Gordon

Harry Darbee meets Quill Gordon

Chasing the Taper

The documentary Chasing the Taper (almost 1.30 hour long) is finally out on Vimeo as 'Video-on-demand'. I watched a part yesterday evening. I stopped after Per Brandin broke a new built rod in half because it did not have the action he liked... 😵

Love the pace of the documentary and in-depth of several of the highest regarded bamboo rod makers' thoughts about their passion. The DVD of this great documentary can also be be ordered here.

Update 22 Jan 2023:

The Q&A with Per Brandin is up!

Update 14 Jan 2023:

I watched this documentary again this evening. This documentary is like a time capsule. It is a must watch for anyone interested in the history of bamboo fly rod making!

I also watched it again because I wanted to see and hear again what Per Brandin said about his work as a bamboo rod maker. I recently got in touch with Per. More to come in the future about my contact with Per.

Callibaetis Flymph

Love the speckled look of the Coq de Leon hen hackle!

A variation with a Dark barred ginger hen hackle

Dark barred ginger tail & Coq de Leon hackle

Here's a nice article about V.S. 'Pete' Hidy, together with James Leisenring two most influential fishermen on tying & fishing with the Flymph.

Firehole Number One

This was the last fly of yesterday evening.
Found this fly in Mike Valla's book 'Tying the Founding Flies'. What a neat looking fly!

Vintage Mustad 94842 size 12
Teal wings
Fox fur body
Hackle is mix of Hebert Miner Grizzly and Collins black cape
Veevus 16/0 grey thread

Quill Adams

Vintage Mustad 94842 size 12

Grizzly hackle tip wings

Stripped peacock quill body

Hackle is mix of Hebert Miner Cree and Collins brown cape

Veevus 16/0 grey thread

Update:
The Whitcraft, an Adams with a Macaw quill body developed by Don Martinez in the 1940's, was also called Quill Adams (Founding Flies by Mike Valla, page 258).
So guess that means this fly is merely a Quilled Adams 😁

Threads

Charlie Craven's article on tying threads is a great reference on what thread is best for which application.

Check it out here

Dark Hendrickson

April Vokey shows how to tie a tube fly

April Vokey shows how to tie a tube fly. I really like the easy to understand steps April shows here.

Also check out April's new website Anchored Outdoors, a spin-off of her Anchored podcasts.