The task

Casting 40 ft (12.2 m), demonstrate wide loops on both forward and back casts. Start by false casting narrow loops. After several false casts, announce your intent to cast wide loops, both front and back, which must begin on the next forward cast and continue for several false casts.

Required performance standards

General performance standards apply to every task — narrow loops (≤ 4 ft, measured 3–4 ft back from the nose), a straight fly leg, loops similar front and back and approximately in-plane, a line and leader that unroll completely, no ticking, and slow to medium line speed. See the exam overview for the full list.

• The wide loops must exceed the width of the narrow loops by at least approximately 3 ft (0.91 m) and may have a convex fly leg.
• The fly line and leader are not required to unroll completely or be relatively straight.

How to pass it

• Announce first, then change on the next forward cast — the change must be deliberate and visible, not gradual.
• Open the loop by widening the casting arc and/or softening force application; a convex fly leg is allowed here.
• Keep the wide loops consistent in size once you have made the change; several false casts means several, not one.
• Still avoid ticking, and keep the rod speed slow to medium.
• Be ready to explain what you changed — the exam expects explanations to match the demonstration.

Drills

• Alternate narrow / wide in blocks of three false casts, saying the intent out loud each time.
• Use two visual references (rod lengths apart) to calibrate how wide ‘3 ft wider’ actually looks.
• Film front and back loops separately: the back-cast wide loop is usually the weaker one.