FFF Certified Casters?
- This topic has 10 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated Feb 24, 2007 at 4:14 am by
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Just wondering how many here are FFF Cert. Casting Instructors. What did you think of the process?
Thanks.
J.B.The process seems to work. They stress a common language that does make it easier to communicate with other casters and students.
The best part of the process comes after the test. There’s just something about watching people improve their cast right before your eyes.Me too. My exams were taken under Mel Krieger.
But how one casts fiffers. So if anyone wants to go further than the basic casting fundaments, one should stick to one instructor since the instructor is instructing how HE casts.Jay
one should stick to one instructor since the instructor is instructing how HE casts.
Jay
I’m not so sure about that. Most instructors I know do not teach style.
I tell people they will develop their own style. I usually dwell on the outcome and the principals it takes to get there. If they follow those principals (like straight line path, proper acceleration and stop…) they usually do quite well.
I’ve had classes from Steve Rajeff, Jason Borger, Lefty, Bruce Richards, Mac Brown, Bob Clouser, Simon Gawesworth, some FFF CCI’s and masters, friends whose certain casting techniques I admire and others. Just like fly fishing itself, there is always something to learn.If you want to see an interesting and fun casting demonstration, try to see old Castwell from FAOL. I saw him last summer in Michigan. He duplicates perfectly the style of several of the big names. He then reverts back to the style he has personally developed over the years. It was a hoot watching him though!
I just cant stand the people that never use it as a teaching device, they use it as a status symbol of some sort (that being when they come in the shop) , that sort I am still trying to figure out.
I definitely do not think it is necessary to have for the means of teaching. If you have spent enough time on the water, I think that is enough SOMETIMES in order to teach, of course it depends.
I am sure there is one somewhere, but I cant think of a single fly fishing guide where I come from, and here, that has their certification in anything besides being a trout bum, and they teach fishing for a living.
I’ve been handed the business card of a guide/fly casting instructor. He talked a good game and his card looked ultra-professional. When it came time for his CCI testing he failed… miserably… twice.
Not only could he not explain what was going on with different casting techniques, he just plain could not cast!
I’m sure many have gone out with this ‘guide’ and thought they learned a lot from him on the art of casting well. I have high doubts they really did though.
What you said about CCI instructors holds true in guides too. Just saying you’re a guide and getting the license ($10.00 here in NC) does not mean you’re a GOOD guide. To pass the CCI exam you’ve proven to at the very least to be able to pass a certain measure of standards set forth by some of the finest casters and instructors in the world.Your point is well taken on becoming a CCI for chest thumping purposes. One question I ask of people who desire lessons is what they want to try and accomplish. Many times I hear they want to become certified instructors. When pressed further it’s because they think doing so would be cool. I let the masters who test deal with them when I’m done!
J.B.
The FFF has a study pack for the CI test. Go to fedflyfishers.org and click the FFF Gear tab.
The “Books” section has the study aid pack. “The Essentials of Fly Casting” by Bill Gammell
is included in this.
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