In my opinion, holding the line against the spool offers a smoother release than the over the fingertip method, especially with small diameter line.

John

Thanks Vince, appreciated, an excellent decision re the grayling.

John

I see a lot discussion about tip path in fly casting but again, whether the path is good bad or somewhere in between, the driver is how the kinetic chain was employed in that cast. I agree with you John and that’s also how I see it. In discussions over the years I’ve often heard statements that mak...

I found that interesting because of the irrelevance the author found on whether the movement was correct or incorrect. Once the correct movement has been performed, he suggested the mind locks it away and distinguishes between what it has just performed and what it knows as correct. The finding was...

Hi Gary,

An 18 gram lure may be a bit heavy for feathering against the reel spool. You can do it but it works better with lighter weights. The heavier the weight the more difficult it is to hold the line against the rim.

John

Hi Andrew, the finger on the spool loses effectiveness as the weight increases and the more power is applied. I would not recommend it for two handed or long casting sessions. The increased weight and power makes it impossible to hold the line against the spool, it just pulls away too soon. Far bett...

Hi Vince, I agree, instructors, coaches and examiners in any field have a genuine interest in their students' skill growth and want their students to succeed. There would no doubt be exceptions, but I suspect, and hope they will not last long in the role. I will certainly read Gray's book, thanks ve...

The two strokes are really quite different, John. What are the pros and cons of each? Thinking about it I have seen the “European style” many years ago at an APGAI meet. It also reminds me of a technique I was shown when casting “trotting” gear. But neither to that skill level. Cheers, Paul Hi Paul...

Hi Paul, The European technique works best with short but stiff rod. If the tip has too much flex, you get bounce and that stuffs up the smoothness of the plug path. It's the same effect as an excessive power application on a fly rod. I've even had knots tied in the line just above the plug. Casting...

Hey it looks like it worked, I can see the videos. Bugger me, maybe there's hope for me yet.

Well, that may be a tad ambitious at my stage of development ......

John