Casting into the wind      

Leading on from your answer 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)

Fair enough and point taken, when talking to a more advanced caster. I would still prefer the term, slice, when talking to a novice. I will check the lesson out.    

b) why does DH decrease loop size (another trick question:-))

It speeds the line up even more so that the top and bottom of the loop pass closer together.  Enough tricks !    

We could go off on a limb here, but DH doesn't decrease the loop size to my knowledge of physics

Oh now this is getting confusing. You see I definitely see my own loops tighten with a haul. In fact I think even you spotted this last year. My explanation for this is that by hauling you are effectively slowing down the lower section of the loop creating more speed in the top section which in turn narrows the distance between the 2. This all comes from increased flex on the rod.

It may be a pleasant side effect: explanation is that you have increased the flex in the rod and the tip has travelled a straight path. BUT that is not the important bit. I (and you) can bend the rod to it's maximum without hauling - simply aerialise enough line. read on :)

Understood.Reading on.    

c) how does hauling work?

It works by increasing the flex in the rod.  This is done by taking the slack up in the line, hauling.  The product of this is higher line speed.  See your trick question !!!

Of greater significance is that it increases line speed and directly. When you haul you are pulling the line through the air and therefore directly giving it momentum whether or not it increases flex.        

Think about your handcasting.

Interesting point. It is possible to get very tight loops without a rod, there goes the theory above. Perhaps I will stick to STANIC!

The most important thing is that hauling imparts velocity directly to the line. That is why fast hauls are better than slow hauls, and is why it's best to do it at the stop.

It's actually simpler than you are writing (I think!) BTW please go through the advice section and read through that stuff. I think that will make some sense :)

Will take a look. Let me just think about this and make a statement. So, the real reason we put the haul in at the last moment is because that is the point at which the rod is unloading and then we are adding more speed to the line.

No, this is the point the rod is fully loaded and we haul as we are completing the stroke.    

d) can you explain the timing of the haul?

At the very last moment, just before the rod halts on the back / forward casts.

OR you can haul through the stroke for a more open loop.

In your opinion when would this more open loop be necessary ?

When making curved leader casts, casting a loop in the same direction as the wind and when presenting a weighted fly on a long leader.

Across the wind

I 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.

Not heard of it. Please explain "the double forward cast"

Thumb behind the rod on both forward and back casts. During the pause you rotate the hand so that the thumb is behind the rod again. Useful tricks in the flycasting section... rotating thumb.

I remember you showing me this now. I will have a go tomorrow. Plus we need to cover this when I visit.

Make sure that you are comfortable bringing the hand to your left ear closed stance btw

O.K.

They *might* want to see the thumb behind the spine :-)

Good point. So what about the Chinese cast then, when the rod is effectively turned 90 in the hand. The thumb is surely not along the spine then ?

OK Q. So what about the Chinese cast then, when the rod is effectively turned 90 in the hand. The thumb is surely not along the spine then ? :-)

So here we are learning that the rod can be at any angle ? Yes / No ? What about the rods changes of shape during casting, it being a hollow tube ?

Some rods need to be cast through the spine. When I pick up a rod this is one of the first things  I check. Otherwise I don't think it matters. But be prepared for an examiner who does and be prepared to demonstrate using a more "conventional" style. You have to be able to teach PMP tradition if the examiner wants this. "Chinese" style is definitely a variation. Haven't heard it called the Chinese cast btw.

It is called Chinese Style, don't know why. Picked that phrase up from SG. How do you tell which rod is which?