Fly Casting Literature / Study Groups

When I originally posed this question (about the Salt Water Quick cast) pursuant to formulating an explanation for the exam requirement, I expected the group to come shining through, as usual, with replies. From experience I have found that it is sometimes better to ask a question of those who actually live the subject than those who write books, with Lefty often being the exception. I have obviously not been disappointed with the barrage of replies. I am jokingly now considering beginning my explanation with: "There are as many methods of performing this cast as there are anglers performing it." In truth, it does become difficult to work all this information into a relatively brief explanation. I now find condensing the explanation much more difficult than the actual cast.

Thank you Gordy & group for all your assistance.

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That is what we are all about with our Study Groups .

I don't like the idea of "teaching to the test". Rather, the idea is to provide detailed if not exhaustive information on a subject complete with input from instructors from all over the US as well as our International members.

This way, we all learn things we didn't know before, even if we've passed our exams years ago and already have one or two ways of performing any task or cast.

You will note that I choose many subjects from questions sent to us. I do that because these questions represent what most of us are trying to learn.

For the candidate, it provides a wealth of information from multiple sources. As you suggest, it remains up to the candidate to distill all the material and come up with his/her own opinion after digesting the messages and actually going out and using it while fishing and practicing.

It becomes solidified in the brain when this candidate actually goes out and teaches the task.

In turn, repeatedly teaching it and observing the feedback of failure or success polishes the instructor.

This is a lot to ask .....Lots of practice, lots of frustration, hours spent teaching. That is what goes in to preparation to become an FFF Master.

I sensed that frustration in your well worded question !

My old professor once said to us: "THE DIAMOND IS NOT POLISHED WITHOUT FRICTION, NEITHER IS THE MAN WITHOUT ADVERSITY"

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As some of you may know, this Study Group was started by me and Rick Whorwood of Ontario Canada, years ago when the two of us were studying for the MCCI exam. Hundreds of messages sent between us each requiring a SHORT ANSWER and a LONG ANSWER.

With this background, please note the following message from Al Crise, who hosts a CCI Study Group :-

Good morning Gordy

Having to try and find new material each week I was sure I would run out in about 15 weeks. As I took each task and tried to enlighten the students. Well here it is hundred of weeks later and I am still led to something that many need or want to know more on.

I was reading Lefty's new Book this morning It is so heavy I can only read for about 1/2 hour and my arms give up. What a great way to teach that man has.

One thing that we talked about many years ago is when the Student surpasses the Instructor the Instructor was a good instructor. I am having trouble with my Hat fitting as of late. When people like Steve Hollensed, Gary Eaton, Diane Blair, keep on the Trail and help so many others. It just makes me feel Great and humble at the same time.

Thanks to You and Rick.

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Al .... I felt as you did, in the beginning .... that we would run out of material in a few weeks..

Turns out, after thousands of messages over the years, neither of has ever run out of teaching material for this simple reason: We are teaching by response to questions from our members.

This way, we are using our members who are expert in certain subjects along with our own expertise to help those who seek fly casting knowledge. Sometimes I seek the advice of experts who are not members of our Group.... folks who know a great deal more about a subject than I.

Our rewards are multiple. They include our own learning and keeping up with fly casting knowledge as it develops, and we have a sense of satisfaction which can be gained only knowing that we've helped others as we share fly casting knowledge.

Gordy

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