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Gordy,
Would like to share the following:
I was fortunate to go to the National Conclave this year in West Yellowstone, where David Diaz (BOG) provided a class to CCI instructors for The Direct Instruction Method for beginner students. Very enlightening for me to attend. This is for those class's for beginner students, where you the CCI only have about one hour to teach the student how to cast.
David has a number of CD's (4) for this process and approach. We viewed just 1 of the 4 in this class addressing the pick up lay down cast only. These CD's are now being provided by David for those CCI's that are interested. This is just one method being provided as an option when we CCI's find ourselves at a venue that we have to teach a lot of students to cast with very little time. (Not enough time to cover all the essentials of the fly cast so you teach directly by demonstration, key words, and hands on with permission if needed. This method does cover all the learning processes of a student, so it is critical that the CCI detect those needs of the student fast, during the session).
Just wanted to pass on this information for those CCI's that are interested in this type of approach when they find themselves in this type of teaching venue.
An example of this type of event here in Texas is Fly Fish Texas (in Athens) where CCI's and CCI Candidates teach over 150+ people fly casting in just one day. 45 minute sessions to teach pick up lay down and the roll cast. An average of about 20 students per session for the 8 hour event.
Format is one head instructor CCI or Master, with 3 CCI's or CCI candidates to support each session. All ages young and old attend.
This event was supported by Al Crise each year with the support of the fly fishing clubs in Texas (Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston etc). Jim Bass is continuing this effort for the Fort Worth club, on behalf of the OL Al's Study group here in Texas. We all look forward to this event every year. It is supported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Also would like to state that my brother Lee Davison and myself were fortunate to work with a new CCI Candidate before the National Conclave. This candidate did pass the CCI test at the Conclave.
His name is Mr. Dayle Mazzarella. CCI
Dayle indicated to Lee and I that he will continue on his journey in pursuit of the MCI. I am sure his contribution to the program will be very positive.
Gordy, I will have Dayle contact you directly with regards to joining our Master Study Group.
PS: As a fellow CCI, It is a great feeling and refreshing to be associated with a fellow member of our organization, who has put in the needed time and effort required for Certification!
Gordy, Sorry I am so late with my response to the Teaching Video. We just got back from the Conclave Friday. Caught some nice trout in Idaho with my brother Lee and my dad who is 86 years of age. Note my dad caught the biggest trout on one of the days spent on Henry's Lake just outside of Yellowstone. It was a great day for all of us!
My observations below as a candidate, which I see most of our members have touched on the same items as I have from the video's provided. Some additions that stood out for me.
Gary
1.a
Poor positioning with wind direction coming into casting arm. (Wind direction is all important. Safety first!)
Poor positioning with the sun in the students face not the instructors for good eye contact based on conditions.
Could have poor visibility of fly line: (White line, White background with clouds. Orange line which is darker would work better.)
System check is an Instructors task not the students: (This should be conducted by the instructor before casting begins. Beginner may have no earthly idea what may be required.)
Inconsistency Verbal Teachings: (Switching gears in mid stream, beginner level then back to instructor level mid stream? No rhyme or reasoning to the presentation.)
Inconsistency on the Demo Cast's: (Made a low horizontal cast first, then vertical cast there after, with poor execution or explanation? Also did not bring attention and visibility of the arm and hand when teaching the cast! The cast needs to be provided as slow as possible so the student can see it properly. Cast were made too fast on the video.)
Instructor had no safety glasses to protect the eyes.
Instructor had no visible Certification ID. (Dress and ID are important)
Too many students for one instructor. (12 to 1?).
Class location not adequate: (Back yard with 12 student could be too many people for a given small area, too many possible distractions. (Mowers, pet's (yours or your neighbors), visitors etc.)
Too many grip options for the beginner: (Teach one for the day Thumb on Top most popular for most casters. Provide other options only if needed.)
I have a problem with "I am the instructor, You are the student" approach!
1.b
The Beginner Student would not be sure what grip to use for the cast based on instruction. Too many options.
The Beginner Student does not have enough knowledge yet to check the system to see if it is correct or good?
The Beginner Student based on the set up demo position would make a cast with the wind blowing the line back into the caster? (Poor set up and poor safety being conveyed to the student).
The Beginner Student would have a hard time to mimic the cast based on the set up and instructions provided: (Inconsistent casting by visual only or lack there of (wide loop pattern provided on demo, differing rod planes provided horizontal then vertical), verbal portion lacked consistent step by step information that a beginner needs to make the cast?)
The Beginner Student would be confused with verbal communication provided, a question posed, that actually turned into a statement. (Poor communication skill's will promote confusion and loss of interest in the lesson).
2.)
Explain what you would consider a good ratio of students to each instructor for this type of beginner class?
(My answer would be 4 students to 1 instructor is ideal. )
All the best
Gary Davison
Gulf Coast Spey
Gulf Coast School of Fly Casting
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