Lesson: Cast A Fly, Catch A Student Lesson Number 4 Lesson Title: Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Implementation Time: 45-55 minutes Resource(s): Cast A Fly, Catch A Student Teacher Training Manual Learn How To Fly Fish Chapters: Casting Online Version of the Cast A Fly, Catch A Student Lessons: Casting Materials Needed: Fly rods, fly reels, student leaders, yarn flies, cones, Bullseye CasTarget Translator, 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast Banner, Suggested Gym Layout, video camera or phone if available Lesson Focus Content Knowledge: Components of the basic fly cast Content Skill(s): hand/eye coordination, loading the rod, casting loop, casting Thinking Skill(s): Observing, sequencing, predicting, problem solving Habit(s) of Mind: Working and thinking interdependently, communicating clearly, striving for accuracy Standard(s): Physical Education, Language Arts, Technology Worksheets: Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Learner Outcome(s): What will student s learn as a result of this lesson? The student will identify and give feedback on the 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast. The student will demonstrate a successful basic fly cast 7 out of 10 times. The student will know two ways to manipulate the casting loop. The student will be introduced to different fish species and flies. Fly Casting Peer Evaluation Key Concepts: 11 Steps To The Basic Fly Cast Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Loading the rod Casting loop Turnover Stopping the rod on the back cast and forward cast Procedure (45-55): TITE LOOPS SHOULD BE ON AND A FISH CASTARGET SHOULD BE UNDER THE STUDENT S ELBOW Reviewing the 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast (20 min): Students will review the 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast and take turns repeating the basic fly cast at least 10 casts each. If Reading the Fly Cast worksheet isn t completed, this can be worked on by non-casting students. Assessing the Basic Fly Cast (20-30 min): Hand out the Assessing the Basic Fly Cast worksheet. Key Questions: What are the 4 basic stages of executing a fly cast? Pick Up, Back Cast, Forward Cast, Let Down What is load? Flexing the rod/ loading it with the fly line How is the rod loaded and unloaded on each cast? Loaded and Unloaded on both the Back Cast on the Forward Cast. CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 1
Demonstrate how to Assess the Fly Cast Choose a student to demonstrate a basic fly cast. Demonstrate the evaluation process the students will be using during the lesson. Emphasis will be placed on the 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast and information from the previous lesson. Both verbal and written feedback will be given. Short video clips of each student as they cast can be taken (and played back) at this time. Data collected during the process will be used to assess the student s ability to successfully complete the basic fly cast. Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Students move to a station with a partner(s). The casting station, which is designated by cones, will include a fly rod, fly reel, clipboard and pencil. Students practice their cast and then complete the Assessing the Basic Fly Cast worksheet. The person doing the evaluating should stand on the line hand side of the caster. Additional group members (if needed) will help to evaluate the caster for their group or finish Reading the Fly Cast as described in Lesson 3. Teacher collects the worksheets to determine the progress of the class. If extra time is available, cast to the Bullseye CasTargets: Set up a Bullseye CasTarget in every casting lane. Make sure the angle of the target is set so the center leg is perpendicular to the hub and the 4 arms. Handout the black target flies and have the students tie them on using the Clinch Knot. Demonstrate how to cast to the targets: how to forward cast to/on and back cast from/off the Bullseye Target. It s a lot like casting line off the water because it provides load/bend to the rod on the back cast. This practice reinforces the stops the caster must make on both the back cast and forward cast. Have students use the Bullseye CasTarget Translators to learn to identify the fish and flies they land on and have them begin to fill out the Fish ID and a Fly ID Charts. Each student should cast 10 times, switch students and repeat. CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 2
Closure/Assessment (10 min): Inquiry/Fly Fishing Journal Entry: Key Questions: 1. What s the purpose of 3 rod lengths of line in front of the rod tip? When casting, it is important to maintain a consistent amount of fly line in front of the tip. This takes the guesswork out of the timing of the cast. 2. What does loading the rod mean? Flexing/bending the rod with the fly line to make the fly line go once the rod is stopped. 3. How can the Fly Caster manipulate the casting loop? By changing the angle between the back cast and forward cast: the wider/more open the angle the wider/ more open the casting loop; the narrower/tighter the angle the narrower/tighter the casting loop. 4. If students cast to the Bullseye CasTarget have them: Name two fish they landed on. Name two flies they landed on. Conservation Note: 1. What is the 4 th Leave No Trace ethic? Leave what you find 2. Why would you want to leave what you find when you re fishing or exploring the outdoors? So others have the opportunity to experience the same things you have. To ensure that we have minimal impact on the water and the species of fish we enjoy catching and so we don t contaminate one water source to the next. Additional Journal Entry (optional): Pick a fish you landed on today, draw it and write a paragraph about the fish s life history. CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 3
Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Caster Assessor Journal Questions: With your partner, answer the 6 questions below and put them in your Fly Fishing Journals. 1. Name one way to make the casting loop narrower. 2. What is the name of the first guide on the fly rod? 3. What should you do with your fly rod when not casting it? 4. What is the term used to describe your fly line laying straight out if front of you after a forward cast? 5. How can you determine the weight of your fly rod? 6. What is one question about fly casting that you have for your teacher? Peer Assessment: Take turns observing each other performing the basic cast and filling out the peer assessment rubric. Use the 11 Steps to the Basic Fly Cast Banner as reference to the 5 Cast Execution steps covered below. Task Directions: Watch your partner perform a basic cast 10 times. For each cast, circle your assessment or No in the appropriate box beneath each cast number. After marking your answers for each of the 10 casts, at the bottom of page 2, under Total Score, add up the total of the results to get the caster s score. Address Cast #1: Rod tip starts 2 (two inches) off the gym floor (water.) Cast #2: Thumb is on top of the rod grip, pointing forward. No: Rod tip is too low: touching the floor No: Rod tip is too high: more than 2 off the floor No: thumb is not positioned on top or pointed forward Cast #3-4: the Pick Up evaluate only the Pick Up Pick Up Cast #3: The caster lifts the rod to the appropriate pick up point, 90 from the address. Cast #4: During the pick up, the elbow stays relatively stationary above the hip. The wrist stays relatively straight during the pick up. No: the pick up angle is less than 90 No: the pick goes beyond 90 No: the elbow is lifted during the pick up No: the wrist bends early and/or is too loose during pick up Cast #5-6: the Back Cast to Stop, and Cycle Time evaluate only the Back Cast Back Cast & Cycle time Cast #5: The rod is accelerated to an abrupt stop ( hitting the bill of your imaginary cap ) with the casters thumb pointing upward. Cast #6: The caster allows the line and leader to straighten behind, as the rod, elbow and wrist remain stationary. No: the rod goes too far back No: the rod is stopped too soon No: the rod does not wait long enough and the line whips or snaps forward, doesn t have enough time to straighten No: the rod waits too long and the line drifts down towards the ground CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 4
Assessing the Basic Fly Cast Cast #7-8: the Forward Cast to Stop evaluate only the Forward Cast on this cast Forward Cast Cast #7: 45 degrees from the back cast position the caster accelerates the rod to an abrupt stop. Cast #8: The rod motion ends its forward motion with an abrupt stop keeping the elbow relatively stationary. No: the rod is stopped beyond 45 degrees No: the rod is stopped to high or short, less than 45 degrees No: The stop could be more abrupt No: The stop was too abrupt Cast #9-10: the Turnover/Let Down evaluate only the Let Down on this cast Let Down Cast #9: After the cast, the line straightens ( turns Cast #10: After the cast, the line straightens ( turns over ) over ) and lays straight in front of the caster. and the caster finishes the cast with the rod tip to 2 off the No: the line piles up or does not lay flat because there isn t enough energy in the forward cast. No: the rod stays high at the forward cast position No: the rod descends too soon before the line has a chance to turnover TOTAL SCORE: Enter a or No result for each cast; add up the total of the results to get the score. Cast 1 Cast 2 Cast 3 Cast 4 Cast 5 Cast 6 Cast 7 Cast 8 Cast 9 Cast10 TOTAL # OF YES CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 5
Warmwater what species? Fish fact 1 Fish fact 2 Coldwater What species? Fish fact 1 Fish fact 2 Sea-Run What species? Fish fact 1 Fish fact 2 Saltwater What species? Fish fact 1 Fish fact 2 Fish Identification Chart CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 6
Fly Name What type Imitates Fly Name What type Imitates Fly Name What type Imitates Fly Name What type Imitates Fly Identification Chart CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 7
CAFCAS Lesson 4, page 8