ROD AND LINE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 23 (Supplement)

ROD AND LINE

TIPS FOR TOURNAMENT MAKING THE MOST OF TACKLE PREPARATION FOR COMPETITION by “Irideus” After discussing the manner of conducting a casting tournament, it is appropiate to discuss ways and means by which would-be competitors can make some preparation for taking part in such a contest. We have mentioned how popular ■such gathering* have become in Great Britain and of what real value they can be to the common or garden angler, as distinct from the e/.perl, in improving casting technique but it. would be a pity if beginners were to go along to their first tourney without any idea of the procedure to be followed. Moderately Stiff Rod If a tournament happens to be looming up on the horizon, it is as well to get in a little practice beforehand, and any open space such as a large lawn or a public park, can provide scope for casting. For distance casting, a fairly stiff rod, preferably of split-cane, gives best results and the line used should be medium to heavy. Recently, sp cial lines for distance casting have been evolved, in which the front portion is heavy, providing the weight necessary to carry out the succeeding lighter section. The secondary light portion tapers out into a heavier portion in the middle of the line and the end attached to the backing is of a diminishing taper. This complicated weave of line is held by some experts to be capable of covering greater distances than the normal level or tapered line where the same amount of drive is employed. 'Be that as it may, the ordinary medium-heavy single or doubletapered line will be found to dill the bill fairly adequately for most beginners, if it is only handled properly.

Heavy Cast, White Fly For competition work, a two-yard tapered cast no lighter than IX at the point should be used and in the actual competition a yellow or white fly, with the barb of the hook snapped off for the sake of safety, is most suitable, since it Is easily picked up by the judges. In practice, as much line as the angler thinks he can manage should be stripped from the reel and laid in coils at the angler's feet. Then take the rod in the right-hand (if you are right-handed) gripping it lightly with the thumb pointing up along the cork gri-p, the left foot being slightly forward. Then start casting deliberately and without undue hurry. At each forward cast, shoot out as much of the coiled line as possible. Pick the line up cleanly as soon as it lands and cast again, since in distance casting events, there is usually a time-limit of three minutes. In that time the competitor may get as many casts in as he can, but it is well not to be too anxious to put up a large number. Distance is what is aimed at and steady, deliberate casting is the only method to achieve distance. On the back-cast, throw the line well up as if there were small bushes at the rear, and never bring the rod-point much past the vertical on its way back. Timing is of paramount importance in getting the ultimate possible foot of line out and the beginner should get used to timing the exact moment at which the line is fully extended behind him. At that precise moment, when he may feel a very slight tug on the rod-tip as the lino straightens, the forward cast should be initiated. The movement should have a relatively slow initiation, the speed quickening until the forward cast finishess with a sharp switch. As the line curls forward and straightens, the fingers of the right hand, which have been holding the line below the butt-ring, should release the line allowing it to slip freely out in the forward “■shoot.” It. is this shoot which provides the real distance achieved by the cast. No record long casts are to-day made from the reel, since the Oft or 10ft rod could not pick up such long lines from the water.

Preparing the Gear When the beginner is getting out a fairly long line, such as is difficult to pull off the water, he should make no attempt to lift it all with the rod, but should strip it in by hand, again coilit at his feet in readiness for the next cast.

In preparing for the tournament, it will be appreciated that suitable dressing of the line can add greatly to its “shooting” properties. Before the meeting, it is well to stretch the line out tight for several hours and clean the old grease off it with a soft cloth. Polish the line for about half an hour with this cloth and then put just a little grease on the front end only. It frequently happens that the rear portion of the line, through lack of use in normal fishing, tends to curl aid will not shoot well. If this is the case, and if the stretching mentioned does not properly cure the defect, the bpst plan is to reverse the line just before tlie tournament, so that you have the relatively stiff, curly portion of the line ahead, leaving the supple part for the final and decisive "snoot.” The surface of the fine may also be improved by the addition of a little talc or graphite, and experienced tournament anglers usually make sure that the rod-rings also are well cleaned before the meeting. Lino-grease which is deposited on the rings may be effectively cleaned off with a little petrol and a pull-through will! a rag damped with metal-polish will provide the finishing touches. It was mentioned earlier that a fairly heavy cast was recommended by the experts. It is well, too, to soak such a cast well, before the meeting and then hang it up, with a weight attached to sstraighteu it. When carrying the cast and it is well to have a spare to the tournament, coil it up again as little as possible so as not to impair the steeliness imparted to it by being hung and dried. Lastly, do not use a bushy fly. as this iype doess not switch through the air as easily as the winged type of wet fly.