Champion fly casters at Best of the West

[BigFlatBrook]

[url=http://www.flyfisherman.com/:2d82f]http://www.flyfisherman.com/[/url:2d82f] has a couple of videos from the "Best of the West" competition.

They were casting commercially available 5 weight rods with a Scientific Anglers XXD line. The winner was Jim Gunderson at 120' something. Steve Rajeff was a few inches back. You can read it for yourself, but Gunderson used a Powell, and Rajeff a Loomis.

Whatever, the most interesting thing is the contrasting styles of the two casters as demonstrated in the video.

Download the videos and see what you think.

I conclude that you can get to the same place in different ways.

[J Castwell]

Thanks, didn't even know it was going on. Was this ISE?

[BigFlatBrook]

Yes, I think the link says it was an ISE competition. I didn't catch the exact dates.

[This message has been edited by BigFlatBrook (edited 15 June 2006).]

Nice.
I notice how easy they made it look. I also noticed they watched their back cast.
I wonder how much line they were carrying before they shot it.

[Ray]

Interesting watching the 2 videos. Jim Gunderson was "slinging line" not stopping the rod. Using the rod as a lever and casting the line with it's own weight. Steve Rajeff casted by stopping the rod and using better technique. Notice how much more work Jim had to do then Steve, but it worked!

[J Castwell]

Then again,,, having an arm like 'Popeye' doesn't hurt. It is my understanding they carry 85 to 90 feet in the air.