A lesson with Lefty

"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

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

"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




Probably not you as he was a Caucasian guy, who Lefty said looked like he
was chopping wood, when I went by. After a couple of minutes the guy was
casting farily well.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
ink.net...


Probably not you as he was a Caucasian guy, who Lefty said looked like he
was chopping wood, when I went by. After a couple of minutes the guy was
casting farily well.

I was there on Saturday while Lefty was giving his 11:30am seminar.
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
ink.net...


Probably not you as he was a Caucasian guy, who Lefty said looked like he
was chopping wood, when I went by. After a couple of minutes the guy was
casting farily well.

I was there on Saturday while Lefty was giving his 11:30am seminar.
-tom


Was there Sunday.

On Wed, 18 Jan 2006 07:07:47 -0800, "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.
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.

I'm going to the Atlanta show this weekend and he'll be there. I finally got to
meet him last year and got him to autograph one of his books that I 'just
happened' to have with me. g I still don't have the nerve to volunteer to be a
casting 'lesson', though - good for you that you did.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com

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

I'm going to the Atlanta show this weekend and he'll be there. I finally
got to
meet him last year and got him to autograph one of his books that I 'just
happened' to have with me. g I still don't have the nerve to volunteer
to be a
casting 'lesson', though - good for you that you did.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com

Charlie,
you can approach Lefty at the TFO booth if you don't want to confront him in
front of a crowd. It's good sometimes to get constructive criticism and find
out where you stand with your casting.
Last year I met Steve Rajeff.
About me, if I can benefit from it, I'm going to do it, regardless what
others may think.
-tom

On Thu, 19 Jan 2006 06:37:34 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

Charlie,
you can approach Lefty at the TFO booth if you don't want to confront him in
front of a crowd. It's good sometimes to get constructive criticism and find
out where you stand with your casting.

I talked to him last year at the TFO booth and he had me try out an 8wt. He
didn't have anything really bad to say, but I'm not sure how much attention he
was paying. g He also spent some time in one of the local fly shop's booth
signing autographs. He was on the schedule to give a photography talk but for
some reason it didn't happen the day I was there.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com

"Charlie Choc" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Jan 2006 06:37:34 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"

wrote:

Charlie,
you can approach Lefty at the TFO booth if you don't want to confront him
in
front of a crowd. It's good sometimes to get constructive criticism and
find
out where you stand with your casting.

I talked to him last year at the TFO booth and he had me try out an 8wt.
He
didn't have anything really bad to say, but I'm not sure how much
attention he
was paying. g He also spent some time in one of the local fly shop's
booth
signing autographs. He was on the schedule to give a photography talk but
for
some reason it didn't happen the day I was there.
--
Charlie...
http://www.chocphoto.com

The thing I like about Left Kreh is that he's a great instructor and
communicator with both novice and experienced casters. There's always
something he can point out even if it's the slightest. I went home and
tried out some of the things from his lecture, it really works.

Oh, to get memory coils out of the line, his demo was standing on the line
and pulling up with both hands stretching the line ever so slightly as you
work through the reel.

The other is the roll cast. Most casters aren't bringing the line in far
enough before they make the cast. His rule of thumb, if you can't touch the
end of the line (minus the leader and tippet) with your rod tip, you're not
in far enough. Sure enough I tried it and I easily put out a 50' rollcast.
No other experienced caster told me this, but now that I see it, it's as
plain as day.

Most of the other principals I already knew, so I won't even go there, but
it's good to get a reminder.
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...
SNIP
The other is the roll cast. Most casters aren't bringing the line in far
enough before they make the cast. His rule of thumb, if you can't touch
the end of the line (minus the leader and tippet) with your rod tip,
you're not in far enough. Sure enough I tried it and I easily put out a
50' rollcast. No other experienced caster told me this, but now that I see
it, it's as plain as day.


Can you enlarge on that? Did not quite understand what you wrote. How can
you hold a fifty foot D loop?

TL
MC

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.
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

I think I just missed you Saturday morning. I had to sample life in
the big city and ride the train up. I am TDY in the Silcone Valley. I
got to see the usual outfitters and guides that show up in Portland
plus a few from Oregon who are never at the Portland show.
Did you see the guy who had the antique fishing stuff. Makes me feel
old, I have stuff in my closet older than some of his. I bought my
Medalist 1498 in 63, it got more scars than the one he had. I
overheard one guy who wondered if people really caught fish on them.