Deciding On The Loop
By Captain Paul Darby (QRRFISH1), Shalimar, FL
Let me see now were did I leave off, oh yea, loop control.
Perhaps better put as, deciding on the loop.
Now there's a different way of looking at it, but
then that is in part what this is all about. Seeing
things again for the first time. A case in point, a
fella named John. We met at the FFF Conclave in Gulf
Shores, Al., a few years ago. One of his objectives
for attending the conclave was to get pointers on
various subjects. The fly rod was one of those points
of interest, specifically the operation of the fly rod.
As I stood outside the main room, on the balcony taking
a smoke break. I had a bird's eye view of the proceedings
below in the side yard. John with a fly rod was making
moves better suited to a man thirty years his junior
in the company of a young lady on a dance floor. Forgive
me John if you'r reading this, but it was an amusing sight
to me, knowing the person advising you was an instructor.
I couldn't hear the conversation but progress wasn't being
made. Watching him swaying back and forth from the ankles
up had me playing a fine waltz in my mind. It was obvious
there was no lack of enthusiasm on either sides part.
Which left me to conclude that the message wasn't working
for him.
When John and I met later that day, I invited him
to give it another go with a different message.
Starting with how to stop casting and start realizing
the efficiency of the fly rod. It all begins with
loop control. It's been my experience that everyone
develops their own style, as no two people are exactly
alike. Each person knows better him or herself and
therefore has to put the pieces together in their own
time and in their own way.
While I would be the first person to defend the
position that there's a time and a place for any
move you can responsibly make with intent to propel
a fly line with purpose. The basic push forward
and draw back is the most logical point to start.
Understanding the subtle moves and control of this
basic manipulation is the foundation of comfortably
presenting a fly in any given scenario.
Ok helmets on, safety shoes are recommended; here goes
another rant.
The idea, that you can learn to operate a fly rod in
a timely manner seeing only half of what your doing
is counter productive. The position of the rod
drawing the line directly over the shoulder makes
it physically uncomfortable to observe the line and
your efforts playing out. This will put you in a
position of learning by fifty-percent guesswork.
So consider dropping the rod tip to forty-five
degrees and setting your stance to a more comfortable
position that allows you to see and consider the shape
of the loop.
This will help you gain a sense of timing and feel
for your efforts. Simply put, seeing is believing.
NOTE to editors: You know it ain't near as
easy to change the world as I thought it would be.
With OLE Blue all I needed was a rolled up newspaper
and a dog biscuit. Simple matter of whack or reward.
This writing stuff is almost like work. Almost mind
ya, not quite work tho. The puter hasn't peed on my
leg yet. That one was for Buford; I'm trying to reach
as wide an audience as possible. ~ Capt. Paul
Have a question? Email me!
captpaul462@aol.com
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