90% Sweet Spot
The Sweet Spot is found at 90 % of physical effort.. Taking something off creates net gain. The proverbial ‘ less is more ‘…..Something you should consider when attempting to present flies accurately and quietly on a saltwater flat.
As with most things that require a combination of physical effort and finesse, as is required in fly fishing, if you are straining then your results will be erratic and inconsistent. For most anglers, fishing on the flats is not something they do regularly and because they may only do this once or twice a year or every few years then the significance of doing so is very much heightened. This heightened state then creates unnecessary challenges in an already charged up atmosphere..
Many anglers therefore operate at the extent of their physical ability and therefore outside the margins of reasonable error. This is not limited to those new to fly fishing. It is inherent in us all as anglers, especially the male of the species. We all want to perform better however there are limits that need to be evaluated, accepted and adhered to. Firstly, we need to accept these inadequacies and build that into our current psyche. We need to create a foundation with which to build from. Not only will this create personal harmony and therefore better results in the short term it will most certainly have significantly more long-term benefits moving forward. So firstly, WE ALL NEED TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE CAPABLE OF. Its an internal struggle but the bridge from one to the other is one that first needs recognition and acceptance. So, have a chat with yourself !!! On a personal note, here is a story on one such example ( link to ‘ team work article with randy and ‘ masked permit ‘ )
So what is The 90% rule ? This is a rule that requires you never exceed 90% of your physical effort into any cast. The same rule applies to false casts.
Lets create an example of what often happens in a day where and angler has had a disappointing experience as to his own results. Its much easier to visualize the effects of ‘ trying too hard ‘ sitting in a chair at home or in the office than in the supercharged environment of flats fishing on the front of a flats skiff. So…… lets say you are out hunting permit and you have had 10 clean shots for the day ( what a great day of fishing ). You are pumped for the day and you head to the skiff with a passionate desire to get the job done. Your plan is to put 100 % into the task at hand. Any motivational coach would be proud as this sounds like a focused and dedicated thing to do however ensure your self promise of 100 % is only in respect to your mental effort and will not in any way be applied to your physical effort. As mentioned, If you are putting 100 % of your physical ability into making the cast you will fail most of the time. The exception is the fortunate circumstance where your failed first attempt just happens to be the exact correction needed for a successful second attempt. The fish turns 90% and begins swimming at your fly that landed 20 feet short and 15 feet to far to the right of the position of the fish you were casting at!! Something like that. Either way, that is luck and fate, neither of which you should rely on.
To further break this down it is important to recognize how easy your efforts become fixated on distance. That single focus takes over and it becomes very easy for you to then start to strain and cast harder and faster as you are not getting the distance you want. You are now ensconced in the MMDZ, Mad Man Distance Zone ‘. You are stuck bujt you feel the only way out is to dig your way out with additional grit and determination. You have now accepted the flawed belief that distance and distance alone can turn this around for you. The belief that the harder you try the further the fly will go is just not true !!
The answer really is to go into your day with this in mind. To constantly remind yourself that your day and your success will be that much more enjoyable and productive if you force yourself to continually adopt and execute the 90 % rule.
Psssst.. A little secret….. It’s not really 10 %. It could be 5 % or 20% or 15 %. It is really nothing more than to commit to taking off a little something from each and every false cast and presentation of the fly.
Try it. You just may like it !!