The task

Casting 40 ft (12.2 m), demonstrate a cast that produces a slack line presentation. The fly must land at about 20 ft to 30 ft (6.1–9.1 m). Elliptical (Belgian/Gebetsroither) casts are allowed.

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 leader does not have to be straight, but the fly must land ahead of the fly line.
• The slack line presentation must result exclusively from the cast.
• Mending is not allowed.

How to pass it

• The slack must come from the cast — an aerial curve, a check, or an elliptical delivery all qualify; a mend afterwards does not.
• Land the fly ahead of the fly line, at 20–30 ft. The leader can be curved, the line should be slack.
• Aim for controlled, even slack — a heap of line in one place is not the same as a slack-line presentation.
• Elliptical casts are explicitly allowed for this task, so use one if that is your reliable method.
• Keep the loop assessable; slack does not excuse a collapsed or ticking cast.

Drills

• Practise curve casts and check-casts to 20, 25 and 30 ft.
• Film from above to see whether the slack lands evenly or in a bunch.
• Rehearse with and without the elliptical option and pick the one that repeats.