A lesson with Lefty

The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn good for
me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch his demonstration.
He put to rest a lot of questions I've had and some of the questions that
were asked in roff. Lefty is quite a character and for his age of 81, his
senses and skills are still very keen.



Unfortunately Lefty now has rotator cuff (yes got from casting) and has
changed his casting technique from his early days. He told me he doesn't
want to see anyone get this problem as his casting style is almost sideways
now. I'll have to analyze this more.



During his demonstration Left made a few 70' cast with just half of a 9'
rod, using only the 4 ½' end section, with tight loops. That tells me you
don't need an expensive rod to make good cast. Then he pieces the rod back
together, gets down on his knees and effortlessly makes another 70' tight
loop cast, so you don't need a long rod or raise the hand up high, or be 7'
tall to make long cast either. Oh, the rod he was using was a fresh off the
rack TFO TiCr 9', 6wt 4pc which still had the plastic wrap on the cork.



After his lecture he asked for a volunteer from the standing room audience.
Years ago I remember a local fly-shop paying Left $2000, divided among 20
serious anglers to have him fly out here to CA and give a 1 hour lecture
with a 1 hour hands on class. Since no one wanted to make a fool out of
themselves, I thought this is my chance to volunteer a lesson with one of
the greatest casters in the world for the price of my ticket to the show.
For that I think I could tolerate embarrassment and be the guinea pig. After
he asked my name and put the rod in my hands, he had me make a cast the way
I normally do. I made a 60' cast and on the microphone loud and clear Lefty's
famous line: "Tom didn't listen to anything I was saying!" as the crowd
roared with laughter. Then he corrected me on 2 ever-so-slight
technicalities, keeping the wrist straighter on the backcast, and stop the
rod a touch higher on the forward cast. I'll have to admit, I was a bit
nervous standing in front of everyone with Lefty at my side. I made my
second cast and was ready for more embarrassment, but to my surprise he
blurts out; "Make another cast!" I make another 60' cast as I'm feeling
pretty comfortable now, he then whispers to me, "you got it down?" with his
warm smile. I nod my head yes, then he gets on the mic and yells; "Anyone
worst than Tom?" I felt pretty relieved thinking it could have been worst. I
continued to walk around the show, but came out empty-handed except for
something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote...
The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn good
for me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch his
demonstration.


snip
I
continued to walk around the show, but came out empty-handed except for
something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

-tom

I'd say that's about as far from "empty-handed" as a boy can hope for. Very
nice story.

Dan
(green with envy.....)

Tom Nakashima typed:
The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn
good for me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch
his demonstration.

Stan Gula got to meet Lefty in person, but refused to shake his hand. Go
figure.

We watched his casting demo, and I really should have volunteered as the
shill for his instruction. My casting needs a lot of work as a result of
self-teaching and having a poor teacher. My favorite part of his demo is
when he breaks the rod apart and continues to make accurate, long casts with
the last 4 feet of the rod.
--
TL,
Tim
------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...
The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn good
for me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch his
demonstration. He put to rest a lot of questions I've had and some of the
questions that were asked in roff. Lefty is quite a character and for his
age of 81, his senses and skills are still very keen.


Neat story Tom,

Thanks for sharing!

JT

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 07:07:47 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

SNIP

Glad you had a good time. Did ya feel all stimulated, targeted, and
ready, willing, and able to buy? G

During his demonstration Left made a few 70' cast with just half of a 9'
rod, using only the 4 ½' end section, with tight loops. That tells me you
don't need an expensive rod to make good cast.

SNIP

The key word is _cast_. Top-section casting is more of a "trick" than a
"skill" beyond "regular" casting. If you normally tend toward graphite
mid-flex rods, you're already (basically) doing it. Try it yourself,
gently at first so as to not damage the section, and I think you'll be
surprised how easy you'll find it, although it may take a little
practice. and "getting your mind around the concept," as it were. Just
don't ever try to fish for anything beyond the smallest and weakest of
quarry without a lower portion unless it's a top section to which you
have no particular attachment.

Remember, casting and fishing are two distinct activities that for most
folks just happen to be done consecutively and mostly thought of as a
single activity. Tournament casting rods and lines wouldn't be
appropriate fishing gear for most folks/quarry, and very few "fishing"
rods and lines would make even marginal tournament casting rigs - the
lines would be totally useless.

TC,
R

wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 07:07:47 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

SNIP

Glad you had a good time. Did ya feel all stimulated, targeted, and
ready, willing, and able to buy? G

Not at all did I feel stimulated, targeted or willing to buy, I already know
the intention of the vendors at these shows, I don't even eat there. I just
went to see the "Man".
-tom

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:32:25 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 07:07:47 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

SNIP

Glad you had a good time. Did ya feel all stimulated, targeted, and
ready, willing, and able to buy? G

Not at all did I feel stimulated, targeted or willing to buy, I already know
the intention of the vendors at these shows, I don't even eat there. I just
went to see the "Man".
-tom

Hmmm...a touchy subject, but I wish people wouldn't consider guys like
Lefty Kreh the "Man." Not because of him or anything about him - he's a
decent enough guy with a great deal of fishing and casting experience,
but casting and fishing aren't such to produce "superstars," albeit the
fans can certainly do so. And to their detriment, IMO.

Reaching the top tier of many sports is objectively and simply out of
the range of all but a relatively few people. They simply aren't
physically equipped, and cannot become physically equipped, by means
fair or foul, to reach it, regardless of choices they might make. But
skills and "tricks" such as practiced upon, developed, and learned by
Kreh are well within the reach of most people, should they make the
choice to practice and develop them. Becoming an excellent, even "top
tier" caster is well within the physical reach of a good many people,
and becoming a good fisher all the more so.

TC,
R

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...
The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn good
for me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch his
demonstration.
(snip)
He told me he doesn't
want to see anyone get this problem as his casting style is almost
sideways -tom
Hi Tom,
Good for you. And it was brave of you to volunteer. I've met him a couple
times. . .must have been shows. (heh . . .heh . . .and I'm sure he would
remember me) My questions usually took the form of pretty much some alien
language . . . but he was courteous.
Glad you got to play . .in front of a lot of folks.
You'll keep this memory)
BestWishes,
DaveMohnsen
Denver
(uhh . . . and I've always seen his cast as quite a bit to the side . . .
where animals,birds, insects, and plants quiver at my approach . . .and cast
.. . .apparently no problem to the fish though . . .they just ignore me)

wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:32:25 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:


wrote in message
. ..
On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 07:07:47 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

SNIP

Glad you had a good time. Did ya feel all stimulated, targeted, and
ready, willing, and able to buy? G

Not at all did I feel stimulated, targeted or willing to buy, I already
know
the intention of the vendors at these shows, I don't even eat there. I
just
went to see the "Man".
-tom


Hmmm...a touchy subject, but I wish people wouldn't consider guys like
Lefty Kreh the "Man." Not because of him or anything about him - he's a
decent enough guy with a great deal of fishing and casting experience,
but casting and fishing aren't such to produce "superstars," albeit the
fans can certainly do so. And to their detriment, IMO.

The term "Man" is just an expression, just like you using "R"
Lefty is indeed like you said "knows a great deal of fishing and casting
experience" and explains his principals and techniques very well. I
actually
learned quite a bit in his presentation.


Reaching the top tier of many sports is objectively and simply out of
the range of all but a relatively few people. They simply aren't
physically equipped, and cannot become physically equipped, by means
fair or foul, to reach it, regardless of choices they might make. But
skills and "tricks" such as practiced upon, developed, and learned by
Kreh are well within the reach of most people, should they make the
choice to practice and develop them. Becoming an excellent, even "top
tier" caster is well within the physical reach of a good many people,
and becoming a good fisher all the more so.

TC,
R

I'm not sure Left Kreh is at the top of his tier anymore at age 81, just by
nature that skills start to decline with age as I'm sure you already know.
As I mentioned earlier, he now has rotator cuff (from casting). He is
however still very sharp, and a great communicator.
I have been spending some time at the Golden Gate Casting Club. One thing I
noticed is there are many darn good casters out there, most unknown. I also
noticed Fly-fishing is not limited on physical features of having to be
muscular or regardless of gender as in other sports, and with a little
patients and practice, anyone can put what they have learned to use on the
water.

Oh, btw: I notice you don't use your real name when posting, R who? can I
call you "The Man"?
-tom

"Dave Mohnsen" wrote in message
k.net...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...
The International Sportsmen Expo this past weekend was pretty darn good
for me. I finally got to meet Lefty Kreh in person and watch his
demonstration.
(snip)
He told me he doesn't
want to see anyone get this problem as his casting style is almost
sideways -tom
Hi Tom,
Good for you. And it was brave of you to volunteer. I've met him a
couple times. . .must have been shows. (heh . . .heh . . .and I'm sure he
would remember me) My questions usually took the form of pretty much some
alien language . . . but he was courteous.
Glad you got to play . .in front of a lot of folks.
You'll keep this memory)
BestWishes,
DaveMohnsen
Denver
(uhh . . . and I've always seen his cast as quite a bit to the side . . .
where animals,birds, insects, and plants quiver at my approach . . .and
cast . . .apparently no problem to the fish though . . .they just ignore
me)


Thanks Dave,
I wonder myself if I scare the fish more than I present a good fly.
-tom