» Topic: Casting Instructors

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated Dec 13, 2008 at 3:34 am by jarrod white.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

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Dec 12, 2008 at 1:30 am #3678

keith b
Member

How many of you guys are FFF Certified casting instructors?
I have a couple of questions if you are.
Thanks

Dec 12, 2008 at 2:05 am #31666

ty goodwin
Member

Hey Keith,

I’ve been an FFF CI for several years.

Dec 12, 2008 at 11:40 am #31667

keith b
Member

Thanks Ty, check your PMs

Dec 12, 2008 at 1:05 pm #31668

Rob Snowhite
Member

as someone who gives casting lessons (got one in the cold sat and sunday, brrr), what benefit would i have from being fff certified?

for myself and my clients?

thanks.

Dec 12, 2008 at 5:32 pm #31669

keith b
Member

Rob, Obviously I am not a certified instructor but I can only guess that being certified would give you more credibility and might help you to become a better teacher of the craft.

Dec 12, 2008 at 5:50 pm #31670

none
Member

Me

Dec 12, 2008 at 6:05 pm #31671

paul_puckett
Member

here is my take, not taking anything away from the people that are certified and use it respectfully and with good intentions. Being someone that has been teaching people to cast AND fish, i think the FFF certification could be a good thing but, fishing experience I think can take its place or be just as much qualification. When I worked in WY for 4 years, I was surrounded by dozens of great guides and instructors and FFF cert wasn’t even in the conversations, nobody is involved or cares to be. So, i guess I just get irritated when I hear people flagging themselves as an incredible fisherman because they are “certified.” Not everyone, just some people. I know of a few people that flaunt that, i dont know if they ever even go out and fish. I think some people just need a label in this industry to put them at what they think is above the average fisherman, and why? It is a sport, but its between you and the fish, not for ego vs. ego (except when it comes to gear of course.) Well, thats just my rant, vent or what have you. Didn’t mean to mess up this thread if I did.

Dec 12, 2008 at 7:22 pm #31672

Karlin Bilcher
Member

I am a listening ear to this debate often. I am not certified but two friends of mine are. They give lessons at the shop most Saturdays. Seems like the two biggest things behind FFF Certification are the following:
1. Standardizing The Language
A heated debate went on for months within FFF defining the parameters of a “curve cast” and an “airialized mend”. These dudes love this stuff and I am glad they are the ones doing the debating. Eventually the things they split hairs over trickles down to the general fly fishing population. It’s just like what happens within the space program. Tang, velcro and thousands of other scientific advancements resulting in space exploration make there way into the mainstream.
A second example: I was taking a golf lesson from a buddy and he kept saying “you are doing one of these deals…when you should be doing a deal more like this…” – more descriptive language would have helped me learn from him. On to point #2

2. Teaching
Tons of flats-rats and trout bums are killer casters! But can they give it away? Effective and efficient teaching is difficult. FFF Cert. can help take a great fisherman / caster and make them a good teacher.

A separate problem is that once these guys do all of the hard work and practice necessary to become certified, they know too much information and then can become conversationally removed from the house wife who is joining her husband for a weekend trip to Andros. Like taking a undergraduate Sociology 101 from a dude doing post-doctorate work…

Dec 12, 2008 at 7:45 pm #31673

paul_puckett
Member

I agree with that angle for sure, definitely a good argument for it

Dec 12, 2008 at 10:11 pm #31674

ty goodwin
Member

Good points Paul.

Dec 13, 2008 at 1:44 am #31675

Phil Landry
Member

Ty-
The points you made in your post are why I DONT have a CCI. It’s not that I don’t think it is a good course to take to learn how to teach the skill of casting/fishing etc. BUT- I screwed around and got a masters degree in education from the University of Texas and figure that I can teach flycasting (something I have been doing since I was a kid) with those credentials as well as I could with a CCI. I think if you need to be taught how to teach it’s a good tool, but not necessary for all.

Just my opinion—

Phil

http://www.arkansastroutbum.com

Dec 13, 2008 at 2:44 am #31676

ty goodwin
Member

Hey Phil,

I didn’t say it was necessary for all. In fact I said “I certainly don’t believe you have to have the FFF cert. to be a good instructor.”

Dec 13, 2008 at 3:34 am #31677

jarrod white
Member

Ty-
The points you made in your post are why I DONT have a CCI. It’s not that I don’t think it is a good course to take to learn how to teach the skill of casting/fishing etc. BUT- I screwed around and got a masters degree in education from the University of Texas and figure that I can teach flycasting (something I have been doing since I was a kid) with those credentials as well as I could with a CCI. I think if you need to be taught how to teach it’s a good tool, but not necessary for all.

Just my opinion—

Phil

http://www.arkansastroutbum.com

Phil, I agree. I think it’s ok if somebody wants to pursue the certification, but I personally think it is unnecessary.
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