34
VII The Haul - The Second Model
The above effect of pulling down and forward in the HAUL as a way of enlisting the left hand in rod rotation during the constant acceleration phase, adding significantly to the Force side of the equation, is largely friction dependent. And this effect does not even demand that the line actually be pulled in, only that it be pulled ON. The effect is also very variable due to the changing angles of left hand position as rod rotation and hand extension proceeds. There will always be some additive effect, since there will always be some friction AND resistance from the line being accelerated, but clearly other factors need to kick in to explain the effect of the haul when friction is low and inward line movement is great.
In order to explain the second effect one must look closely at the actual geometry of the casting stroke and arc and especially the arc during the constant acceleration phase….where the bulk of line acceleration occurs.
One must remember that one of the most important distinctions between “trout” casting and “saltwater” casting is the length of the casting stroke and arc…as Blanton recognized. For nearly a century fly casting in America was taught as an elbow in, down, and fixed, the “holding a bible under your arm” concept. That was primarily a way of preventing beginners from rotating back past the 1 o’clock position. In the late 1960’s, Lefty Kreh and his style of whole arm extension casting, was both blasphemous and revolutionary. That style of casting opened up both a much larger overall stroke and a larger casting arc. There was serious debate as to whether this was “good casting”. But he broke all the rules and threw the whole fly line. Hard to argue with results. And the “trout” versus “saltwater” casting dichotomy was born.
So, with both a longer hand stroke and a potentially wider arc of rotation, can we define where and how much room there is for actual acceleration?
Look at Blanton’s model again.
Fig. 14
