Nick writes:

Hi Paul,

So here we go then, the nitty gritty. I am going to do this bit by bit. So my brain doesn't overload and so you don't have too much info all at once!

Various Casts and their uses:

Overhead Cast: My understanding... so far.

BASIC: The most common of all casts. Usual basic start point (based on a right hander) is moving rod between 1 & 11, learning timing so that the rod loads and looking at wide/tight (sexy) loops.

(do you want me to spin you out a few questions on this? such as:
a) how does the basic flycast actually work?
b) what is a loop and how is it formed?
c) what causes a tight loop, open loop, tailing loop?
d) why 1 and 11? (this is a trick question btw :-))
e) why is the flyline so thick?
f) how long is your leader? - Paul)

HEAD WIND: Usual to stop the rod slightly earlier into the back cast and push down on the forward cast. Thus slicing the line through the wind. Double haul will help by decreasing loop size and increasing line speed.

(A far better way is to tuck up - check out the second lesson of the experience (I learned this at the AAPGAI btw :-))
"Thus slicing the line through the wind" I would say is inaccurate. We are trying to take out the hover on the forward cast.
a) why does DH decrease loop size? (another trick question:-))
b) how does hauling work?
c) can you explain the timing of the haul? - Paul)

WITH SIDE WINDS: Right hander, wind from left etc. Plus teaching casting over opposite shoulder when wind is on wrong side or of course learning to become ambidextrous. I also think it is quite acceptable to stand with your wind on your back, cast up the bank and effectively use your back cast to present the fly.

(I think so too. A double forward cast (Galway Cast) may make this more acceptable to your examiners. They *might* want to see that thumb behind the spine :-) - Paul)

FOLLOWING WIND : Couple of possibilities. Good haul to create a tight loop which will slice through the wind on the back cast, thus allowing the rod to load. Another possibility is to stop the rod further back and then when coming forward stop high allowing the wind to get in behind the loop and give the line more time in the air. Add both of these together for maximum effect.

(I think that the most important point is the need for a low backcast. See same section of the Experience.
a) how do you get a low backcast?
b) what about timing of the hauls? - Paul)

What I have done here Paul is given a quick glance set of notes for you to asses my basic knowledge so far. I think the more in depth section will come when we look at this section of the syllabus ....

"You will be examined in detail on your knowledge of the mechanics of each cast and your ability to teach, in a clear and concise manner :- Stance and Grip, wrist, arm and body movements, the arc of the rod and correct power application. You will also be tested on your ability to diagnose faults, clearly demonstrating both the fault itself and its correction"

(Henry Lowe AAPGAI differentiates the Stanic and the AAPGAI on fault demonstrating and diagnosis. Can you throw tailing loops at will? - Paul)

I reckon that this part will provide some very interesting content. So I guess that once you have looked at this we need to discuss the above paragraph for the overhead cast.

(Agreed. That will be the next email - Paul)