Following Wind    

I think that the most important point is the need for a low backcast. See lesson 2 of the Experience.

O.K. Will check it out in a minute.        

a) how do you get a low backcast?

Tilt rod tip down, cant the arc.  Whoops, there goes 1 o clock !

There is a much better way and it's a bit technical see advice section tailing winds. You need a Belgian cast for the more advanced caster.

O.K.  getting the printer fired up now.    

b) what about timing of the hauls?

No different than before, accept that they need to be VERY well timed and FAST.

see above :-)

Righty O.    

Some discussions...    

I think that the questions could be a good way of doing this. There may be some knowledge gaps I'd like to fill in.        

There are a few things in this mail which are technically not spot on. That's ok since I'll lead you into them.        

The AAPGAI will not just test your ability to teach beginners, but you will be assessed in your technical knowledge as well - and that's ok - in fact it's a good thing.        

If we really get into this we can create the perfect platform for a stanic instructor to understand what is required in the AAPGAI.

I am sure I do have knowledge gaps, but at the same time remember that we are using *your* opinions and thoughts to base *my* learning.  One " wannabe "instructor ( he is doing STANIC in April ) has already clocked what we are up to and contacted me regarding it, no doubt some of those at the exam will have done so too.  Being very aware that AAPGAI do quite like to fail people I would rather not have my fate determined by what I have written for the Experience Pages. I hope this is O.K. with you.

I think that you'll be examined by what you do on the day. They don't like to fail people. People who fail say that. They like to pass people. If you are good enough on the day you will pass. How is your casting btw?

Well I think it is O.K., but then again it can always be better.  I look it like this, I know I can teach, I have a pretty successful business now and that didn't come because I don't know what I am talking about. BUT, everyone can better themselves and I do love casting.  Basically I realise I have gaps in my knowledge but they are based around more technical sections of the casting game.  I think the spring, catapult, weight thing is an easy and pretty successful way of teaching a beginner.  I would like to be able to help more advanced casters too.

Agreed. I use it, but I also make the point that it is not the whole truth. The most important thing (I think) is that your casting is spot on no matter what happens! Nice loops :)

I don't look at it as we are using my opinions and thoughts. We are using my knowledge. :-) For example flycasting is NOT a catapult effect. Have you ever tried it? Anchored a rod in a field pulled it back to it's max and let go? The line will not pass the rod. And yet you can cast 40 yrds.

Sorry, that was an unthinking statement on my part.  Re worded what I meant was that we are basing this whole thing on your knowledge which is bound to differ from other instructors.  After all there are enough theories.  The one thing I believe is very important is to provide a broad base of analogies and teaching methods to suit style.  Something I see lacking in much of today's tuition.

The physics of the cast do not change. Just because someone says that the backcast loads the rod for the forward cast doesn't mean they are right. I have heard that and I have read that in books. It is wrong. In what we are doing there are two things. One: the engineering behind everyones cast. That is not opinion, that is physics. Two: my personal style. Whenever that comes up I say so. This is not important and I only throw it in to show that variations are acceptable. Most of what we are writing here comes under the first category.

Mechanics will differ for each caster and that is important. Guess the best instructors spot the differences quickly.

Are you confident in your casting - from what I remember it was certainly good.

I am confident in my casting, no worries. I think my advanced knowledge is lacking or re phrased I am having to think hard about this stuff rather than being able to understand it like I do the basics. Ah,this is the APGAI!

Let me know what you think. I want to make this the learning curve between Stanic and AAPGAI. That only works if we bridge that gap!

Agreed.  Happy with everything above.    

Henry Lowe differentiates the stanic and the AAPGAI on fault demonstrating and diagnosis. Can you throw tailing loops at will?

Yes. Especially on the forward, find this very easy. Maybe need to work on the back a little more, although I am still pretty good at putting them in and taking them out.    

Here's what I suggest. We get technical. We can do the how do you teach stuff when you get  here. Although I might start to drop some of this stuff in too. We'll see how it goes.

Technical is fine Paul so long as it isn't confusing. Remember that we are quite different in our approaches. I cast to fish, you cast ... well to cast. While I would like to heighten my tech knowledge I also want to have revised and practised relevant material for the exam.    

Well actually I cast to fish - this is an unbelievable comment BTW - but you are going to get asked technical stuff I think the point is that it is actually simpler when you have the knowledge then you teach clearer and have confidence.

True.