Teaching classes

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Thanks for your input... obviously based on experience. I highlighted what I consider to be a very important comment in your message.

Even when giving our classes at the CCI and MCCI candidate levels, I never failed to be amazed at the number of participants who didn't heed our advance recommendations as to what tackle we recommended as suitable to bring for the course. Some brought mismatched line/rod combinations, lines with no contrasting colors, unbalanced leaders of various lengths, big fluffy mock flies, etc., etc. Several had no protective eyewear. Few brought leader material, clippers, etc. or even replacement yarn flies. Some couldn't re-tie their own leaders without their reading glasses... which they hadn't seen fit to bring.

Despite all the information and recommendations available to them (Including the Master Study Guide) I note that several of the Master candidates I've examined have brought to their test fly lines which were not only devoid of contrast, but inappropriate for the casting tasks. (Turns out that although not always the case, this lack of preparation was also reflected in poor performance on the oral portion of the exam.)

I have heeded Dennis Grant's words on one method of solving the problem with individuals who show up with tackle unsuited to the tasks ... even when coaching candidates. Rather than saying anything at all about the outfit, I ask the student to try my own. I have never had that fail . I suppose, that is teaching by example.

Years ago, Joan Wulff solved that problem at her school by furnishing each of her students with "school tackle". She expanded this concept by also having outfits of different weights as well. She would have, as part of the advanced curriculum, a course segment in which the students would line up a few yards from one another and make various casts .. Upon command, each student would place his /her rod down and step to the next one to start casting with a different outfit. Each outfit was different .... ranging from a 3 wt. noodle rod to a fast action 7 wt. By the end of the session, each student had the experience of casting with each outfit. Discussions followed with student "de-briefing".

Joan was on the pro staff of Winston ..... I'll ask her her whether or not the Company supplied some of this tackle.

I'm aware that some other companies including SA and TFO have been very helpful with teaching ventures, though I don't know the details. I'm sure that Bruce Richards and Lefty Kreh could help us with that information.

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In the UK we have a system for licensing instructors/coaches which parallels the requirements for coaches involved with other sports. To obtain and maintain a license you are obliged to have a clean CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check (same as you would if you wanted to own a firearm here), valid First Aid Certificate, have undergone training re the Child Protection Act (CPA - recognise previous abuse and understand how to treat persons with respect and avoid causing anxiety or harm or putting yourself in a vulnerable position), you have to maintain liability insurance and possess a recognised teaching/coaching qualification. The Game Angling Instructors Association (GAIA) includes insurance via a block policy to members (other organisations in UK and Ireland may also do) and I understand that to their credit since the body was originally formed as APGAI in 1965 there have been no successful claims. Obtaining insurance on an individual and casual basis would be very expensive.

Virtually all instruction given here is professional and by qualified instructors. There is however no legal requirement regards practicing as an instructor without qualifications and some profess to do that. There is no legal requirement to have a license but work for any public authority, schools, government agencies etc is restricted to license holders.

Best wishes,

Ally Gowans

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NOTE ON SPEY FISHING

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Here is a tip from Kirk Eberhard (His picture in the attachment ):

Here's how I hold the line when swinging flies for steelhead. Approximately two feet of slack loop between the reel and upper hand. When a fish grabs I let it pull out the loop and do not raise the rod to set the hook until I feel the fish firmly on the line. The slack in the loop allows the fish to turn back in the current promoting a positive hook set (I hope). Kirk.

It would appear that you then have to switch the line to your right hand in order to reel as you have told me that you reel with your left hand (This would be a set up for me as I reel with my dominant hand or is this picture a mirror image?)

Jim

HI Group.

Jim P. Is correct. I must change the rod to my right hand in order to reel.

Traditional anglers use reels with the handle on the right side and wind with their right hand. I'm different, preferring to reel with my left hand. No matter which side the reel handle, sooner or later the angler may have to change hands depending on type of cast, wind, presentation, surroundings, retrieve line, play fish. A good subject for the future. Kirk

I form the loop after the cast by pulling in some line with my line hand.

I let the line run over the middle finger of my upper hand when fishing. The slightest nip or pluck is easily felt and will pull a bit off line over the finger. The fish can pull out the entire loop with little resistance.

KIrk

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