ScandiCaster

See details in Special Events section. This will be fun. Dan

A little trick from New Zealand. According to these good folks, Mr. Fish does most of their feeding at night. The story goes that at night, fish are less likely to be picked off by raptors, and only those fish that were pre-disposed to night feeding were left to breed. Anyway, they demonstrated that Mr. trout can feel a "bug" but you can help out by having a larger than normal, dark "furry" dry. They say a dark fly silhouettes better against the night sky (from the fishes view point) We were catching fish, but I am unsure if it was the fly’s or just good ol’ hungry fish. Scandi

Just a note. The Valsesiana rods from Northern Italy are portrayed in Roman freezes from around 470 AD. There were writings about this technique in about 700 AD. (Valsesiana rods or the Japanese equivalent Tenkara rods, are rods with no reels or guides. The line is simply attached to the tip. Todays Tenkara rods are also telescoping) The description of how the rods are cast (even to this day) is constant tension casting. The line is always in motion and instruction was fairly close (I am told by the Italians) to the beloved Figure of 8 style. What is old is new again. I think when Ogar the cave man figured out that he could put a line and hook out further with a stick, he also figured out that it cast further if he kept the line moving. Just think what Grant could have done with todays rods and lines. On the other hand... why would he bother; he did great with what he had. I sometimes think we might have gone backwards. Dan

Hello all; A brief note on a misnomer in terminology. The style I like best for fishing is called Constant Tension casting. Not Constant Movement casting. What is the difference? The term “constant movement” suggests that the rod is always in motion. Hence it is always moving. The better way to look at this is as constant tension, where the momentum of the fly line keeps the rod permanently loaded. For the pureists that could read Kinetic energy. Constant tension casting is based on a series of accelerations, and decelerations, but the LINE is always moving. This means that you may pause the rod at certain locations, accelerate the rod, decelerate the rod, or on occasion stop the rod for a bit. However, the kinetic energy or momentum of the line will maintain loading or tension on the rod. The rod is never unloaded. For example on a switch cast the rod can be swung around and decelerated to form a D loop, or brought back flat and then slowly lifted to the vertical firing position while drifting back (called a modified D loop), or surprise surprise… a V loop can be formed by just changing the direction the rod is traveling in from going back, to going forward without a stop. (Technically the rod tip did stop for a nanosecond at the point of direction change) Constant tension casters tend to think "line line line" as opposed to "rod rod rod". We direct the line to where we want it, we do not rely on timing as much. Traditional casting relies on good timing, lots of practice (preferably with a good coach) the right lines and rods, and as demonstrated by Speyghillie a terrific knowledge base of traditional casts that are a thing of beauty to watch. Constant tension and underhand casting may give some traditionalists a heart attack. Surprisingly though; we can not get away from the basic principles. There needs to be an anchor, the backloop needs to be 180 degrees from the target and the forward cast is done in a relatively straight line, and there must be a stop. So "Constant Tension". is the correct term. Constant Movement is a misnomer.

Maybe another source for information might be the GuideLine site at; GuideLine - Sweden/Canada/USA These fellows have been at it since the late 60's. When we talk about "Scandi" systems these are the guys from Scandinavia that have the scoop. In Calgary SouthBow will be putting on several workshops that might help out in late september and the first part of October. ScandiCaster

I travel a great deal from country to country doing workshops and testing. I have a pretty good idea of what is happening in the different communities internationally. I want to congratulate the Calgary two-handed community on their amazing sense of brotherhood and support. Somehow you guys have made something beautiful out of our sport. 1. A willingness to explore alternate techniques 2. Supporting each other by exchanging concepts and information 3. Respecting each others opinions. 4. Understanding that asking questions and learning is the key to success Also the recognition that practice makes perfect. Cherish and build on what you have. I am proud to be associated with you. Thank you so very much for including me. Dan McCrimmon PS Thank you to Toolman for showing me how to get my boss's fly back from the big ol' Brown that broke it off. Nice for me to say, "Hey Boss, here is your fly back"

Hey guys Don't forget your gear for all weather work. Also Bhurt.... maybe this year you should lose the sun parasol... I am not sure how you got those great casts off while holding the parasol, but well it looked ..... well.... kinda weird.

Hey HeadScan This can work for a given amount of "extra line" however, at some point the extra line will of course collapse the the back loop if there is not sufficient line speed. But mostly if you think about it... what is happening to the rod loading? At some point the rod will just unload completely. Then you have to pick that load up going forward again. So it is a very fine balancing act indeed. If you feel you do not have sufficient back cast room, move the anchor out toward river center and pick up the loading by lifting your hands a little more. Or maybe use a big in-swing cast and throw the anchor out (for single ) toward mid river. It is a hell of a lot of fun experimenting like that though. Thats a great way to learn. Take things to there extremes and see what happens.

Hey Rufus Use of a two handed rod, and in particular learning to underhand cast Scandinavian style with a short stroke, can reduce the impact on your body significantly. You should also note that this style fits well with a single hand rod as well. The next step may be a switch rod for smaller rivers, or a short two handed rod. Orthopedically, my Doctor friends have pointed out, the use of the short stroke and underhand cast, can reduce the physical impact on your body by as much as 300 lbs over a day of fishing. This is calculated against single handing, and "all top hand" casting. When you lift your line out with a single hand, you are lifting the weight of the line (plus drag), the weight of the reel, the weight of the rod and the weight of your own arm. Overhead casting over a day can raise hell with arthritis, and your back, and your shoulders. Similarly using top hand only with a two handed rod can be painful. So a good approach is to use a short stroke, good underhand pull, and constant tension casting which will further reduce the "hard stop" impact of single hand or "straight line" two-handed casting. Now add the ability to use either hand as the power hand, and you can have a good day fishing without having to pray to Saint Tylenol by evening. Hope this helps. Dan

Please see full details of these workshops in the "Sponsor Announcements" Section. As we learned last year, the spaces filled up fast. This year the classes are divided over two days so that everyone can get the attention they want. INSTRUCTORS Dan McCrimmon FFF MCCI, THCI (Program Examiner) , Board of Governor and GUIDELINE ProStaff and Jack Cook famous line builder and fly tyer. There will be lots of "Scandi" gear and lines to test out at your leisure There is the begginers day on June 27th The Advanced Caster on June 28. Note: An intermediate or advanced caster should be able to do the basic Single Spey, Double Spey, Switch Cast, and snake roll. See the entry at "Sponsors events and sign up from there. WE WILL MEET AT THE END OF SOUTHLAND DRIVE, NEAR THE FOOTBRIDGE at 9:00 AM Thanks to everyone who made last years event fun and rewarding. Dan McCrimmon

Hey Nick What are you using for a single hand now? Why not learn some Spey moves with your single hand? It is a great way to learn Spey casting (either constant tension or traditional). Then make a decision on a rod. ScandiCaster

Hi folks Have a look at the Events section. There will be a Scandinavian Style casting clinic and workshop on the 16th of July at 6:00 PM at Graves bridge (Lafarge access). This will be about Scandinavian fishing techniques, and constant tension casting, underhand style. Try out the Scandi rods! If you are interested call me at 1-778-989-4327 or e-mail dan@bestgearsales.com Dan

You might want to check out the Scierra Reels at: http:www.scierra.com The XDP reels are very interesting looking.