Reel Seats Are A Key Component To Your Fly Casting Practice

I started building reel seats this past week.  I have made some over the past few years, but not with the attention and diversity of resources I have collected today.  I think it is a great addition to our CTS and FlySpoke Blanks, Builders Kits and Custom Rods.

But.........when making the above photo group I realized that it was a perfect teaching segment.  I think using the reel seat as our focal point, we are watching the most important location for practice with both single and two hand disciplines.  

Let's take the first photo on the left as the time after the back cast and while we are pausing waiting for the back cast to unfurl.  If you then keep the angle of the rod the same for the first 70% of a forward cast what do you think is going to happen?  You know that old adage, "The Line Follows The Tip Of The Rod?   That's right, the tightest front loop cast you have ever tossed.

I am not the creator of this concept.  I do know that I am one of the few professional instructors who talks about Jim Green and "Pull Rod Straight".  I received this gift in casting from Al Buhr.  Al received it directly from Jim.  

In your head and with pantomime,  practice this and say to yourself    PullPullPullPullPullPull-Rotate as you slowly cast forward and back.  Watch the reel seat as you slowly move the rod.  Checking the angle?  Then you go to a back cast and PullPullPullPullPull-Rotate, in the opposite direction.   Now do it at half speed.   And half speed again.  Do it with just the bottom section as slowly as you possible can making sure your mind is in control.

OK here it is again PullPullPullPullPullPull-Rotate.  When the rod is moved with the reel seat not changing angle it is called Translation.  When the rod angle is changing during a casting stroke it is called Rotation.

Let's go farther.

Think about what a fly rod is and does.  Thick at one end and skinny at the other.  A linier tube structure, as a lever, that reduces in diameter, acting like a spring when moved, to preform a function. From the power of our bodies creating energy transferred to rod then line then leader and fly we direct this to happen in a certain way that places our lure with an exacting water entry and then movement the target requires.

PullPullPullPullPullPull-Rotate     Makes tight loop presentations.  

PullPullPullPullRotateRotate-Rotate  Makes wider loop presentations

PullRotateRotateRotateRotate-Rotate  Makes very wide or non loop presentations

This same principal is in place for using two handed rods.  The largest difference is how and where the power will be generated.  In single hand we use body mass rotation, lateral weight transfer and dominant arm movement.  In two hand the upper hand on the fore grip is creating a fulcrum.   A fulcrum to be used as a pivot point to bend the rod at that fulcrum and using the efficiency of body mass rotation, lateral weight transfer and bottom off hand power.  

The physics are similar in function and principle with a different way to apply power.  The end result is the same.  You are creating the size and style of front loop desired for that moment in time by how the reel seat travels.     

All casts are good casts.  All casts have a certain function.  All casts catch fish.  Now use the above information to make your loop of choice happen.  

William

FFI-THMCI