Walter & Group....
CONGRATULATIONS TO LES ROSENTHAL FOR PASSING HIS MASTER EXAM !
As I think you know, the MCCI Testing Committee has been putting in many hours of work to try to make the exam as clear as possible to all with testing consistency. Let's try to help the committee by pointing out any issues which you think are confusing or contradictory.
Guy Manning has made a suggestion, below:
Hi Gordy,
I hope your trip went as hoped.
I think it would be a good idea to ask the group to go
through the MCCI test and bring up points in the test that are confusing or
unclear. These should be collected and forwarded to the MCCI committee. Having
been on the CCI committee for about 2 years I see where, despite our best
intentions, we work in a bit of a vacuum. In the press of trying to keep things
concise we only add to the confusion by being too brief.
For instance, you might remember we covered ?line hand only?
on some task in the new protocol. Some people think that means they must extend
line from one target to another by extending line without use of the line
hand. In other word you must slip the line through the fingers of
the rod hand only. That was never my intention during our discussions and I
doubt any of us ever considered that a possible interpretation of the task.
I have asked on FFFCCI and Sexyloops for people to make
comments on confusing issues on the CCI test and will be presenting the info
when we re-convene.
Guy
Manning
FFF Master
Certified Casting Instructor
Moderator FFFCCI
Yahoo Group
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PRACTICING FOR THE MCCI EXAM
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Here is a practical suggestion from Pat Damico :
Gordy,
I have
been freshwater trout fishing a lot and also preparing for testing with a 7 wt
rod. My distance casting form especially was affected so I decided to do my 4
and 5 wt trout fishing with my "weak" hand and use my dominant hand only for my
7 wt practice. My non-dominant casting has improved in accuracy, loop control,
hauling, etc. I would recommend this procedure for anyone who might have the
same problem, especially since weak hand casting really has no disadvantages to
an instructor.
Pat Damico, CCI
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Pat... Good suggestion.
This way, you don't fatigue your weaker side. Also helps to practice with no more than about 30' of line out of the rod tip as you start ..... adding line as you gain strength and line control, bit by bit.
Remember, however, that you will have to perform all the tasks on the exam with one rod. That means that you have to demonstrate proficiency casting with your non-dominent hand with both straight line overhead casting up to 50' and roll casting as well using whatever outfit you have chosen for the test.
This reminds me of advice I've given before: Whenever you teach as student to make a new cast, have him/her carry no more line out of the rod tip than necessary until the task has been mastered. Only then go to using more line. SAME THING WHEN I TRY TO TEACH MYSELF SOMETHING NEW.
As I try to teach myself to improve with Spey casting, however, I find that I must use greater lengths of line in order to gain proper loading for most tasks.
I receive many private messages from MCCI candidates who practice in long sessions resulting in painful wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Resting the primary casting arm while practicing using light tackle and shorter casts is one partial solution. Taking more time to prepare allowing the development of honed skills with shorter practice sessions makes good sense for prevention of repetative use painful arm problems.
Gordy
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A reference book which many of us found valuable as a source of information on trout fishing and the history of fly fishing, is Ernie Schwiebert's TROUT. The problem has been that is has been out of print for some time and copies found to be prohibitively expensive. Back when I was studying for the MCCI exam, I had the luxury of being able to read it over many sessions at the great Elwood Harry fishing library of the IGFA which was close by. Later, my wife, Priscilla found one at an affordable price. Made a great present . It has served me for years as a fine reference.
Many thanks to Jim Penrod for this message :
Hi
Gordy,
Greetings from western Michigan. Carol and I are here
visiting friends who winter in Mexico Beach. Steelhead and salmon fishing on tap
for this next week. I was fortunate to have several great hours with Pete
Humphrey to work on my two handed casting. He is a very astute teacher and most
gracious about his time with me. He is the only certified THCI in Michigan and
may be one of the few, if not the only one, east of the
Mississippi.
Also while at the Great Lakes Fly Fishing shop I
ran across Earnest Schwiebert's two volume tome on Trout. They had several
available and one without the dust case for $100. What a find I thought and said
something aloud about that fact. My mother (94 and going strong) heard me and
commented,"Well, I never know what to get you for Christmas. How about an early
Christmas gift?" An offer I could not refuse!
They still have
several sets but I do not know the asking price. If anyone is interested they
can be reached at: GreatLakesflyfishing.com I will check to make sure
that is the correct e-mail address.
Tight lines,
Jim
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