The task

Casting 40 ft (12.2 m), demonstrate an aerial mend that produces a presentation with a series of waves in the line.

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.

• Waves must be similar in size and shape, aligned in the direction of the cast, and evenly distributed throughout the fly line.
• Waves must be a minimum of approximately 2 ft (0.6 m) wide from point to point and must have at least 3 points.
• The leader must be reasonably straight.

How to pass it

• Shape the waves with a horizontal, serpentine movement of the rod tip while the line is still aerial — not with a mend after landing.
• At least three points and 2 ft between points: make the waves big enough to be counted from behind.
• Keep the waves even and aligned with the cast; one big wave and two small ones fails the ‘similar in size and shape’ standard.
• The leader still has to be reasonably straight, which is the hardest part — finish the cast cleanly.
• Keep rod speed slow to medium and the loop assessable.

Drills

• Practise the aerial wiggle on grass, counting points aloud.
• Vary the number of waves and find the count you can reproduce every time.
• Lay the line down and measure point-to-point distance until 2 ft becomes automatic.