FFF Casting Instructor Workshop By Dan McCrimmon The Federation of Fly Fishers Board of Governors requires that every Certified Casting Instructor candidate has to: 1. Attend a workshop given by Federation of Fly Fishers Masters and/or Board of Governors 2. Pass a written examination 3. Pass a performance and instructional skills test The emphasis of this workshop is TEACHING and TRAINING methodologies, along with INFORMING the candidates about some of the FFFs’, goals and objectives. There is also information on improving themselves as instructors and fly fishers in the future. This workshop is NOT designed as a teaching tool to assist in the casting performance evaluation, or the written test. It is assumed that the candidate who would be attending this workshop is as prepared as possible for the performance and written aspects of the certification process or else they would not be in attendance. The workshop covers the following items: 1. What is the objective of the casting program? 2. Who runs the program? 3. FFF Angling Code of Ethics 4. What will be your obligations to your students as an FFF Certified Instructor? 5. What do the best instructors do? 6. How do students learn? 7. Training Aids 8. Notes on Instructing 9. Substance and style. 10. Loop shapes. 11. Analysis of the casting stroke 12. Keep it simple. 13. Improving as a fly fishing instructor and fly fisher. Each section is supported by a numbered hand-out for easy reference during discussions. Those handouts are: 1. Handout Article # 1 - Mission / Federation Code of Ethics – FFF Board of Governors 2. Handout Article # 2 - Training Skills – Compiled by Jim Watkins 3. Handout Article # 3 - Communication - by: Bruce Richards 4. Handout Article # 4 - Principles of Adult Learning 5. Handout Article # 5 - Arm Styles - by: Al Kyte 6. Handout Article #6 - Casting Analysis - by: Steve Rajeff 7. Handout Article #7 - Simplicity - by: Mel Krieger 8. Handout Article #8 - Notes on Instructing – Denise Maxwell 9. Imbedded Item: Improving as an Instructor – by: Peter Caverhill This 75 minute workshop is constructed as follows: 1. There are allotted times shown for each subject and section 2. The time remaining after each section has been completed is shown. 3. There is a timing color bar running down the left side of page: Green – you have time remaining Amber (Orange) – time is running out Red – Time to wrap-up You will also notice that time has been set aside for questions. Please carefully monitor your time spent on candidate questions. If the question periods get off topic or are taking too long, it is more efficient to ask an individual candidate to wait until after the workshop for their answer, so that the others may proceed. Time Warning Topic Content Allotted Bar / Time 60 min. Remaining 1. HOUSE KEEPING ITMS Is every one here who is supposed to be. Structure of testing • Time allocated for the work shop ( 1 hour ) 3 Min • Time allocated for written test ( 30 Min ) • Time allocated for practical test ( 30 hour ) • Total time • Where testing will take place. • How will test be done • Washrooms • Any parking issues ( meters, tow away zones ) 57 QUESTIONS? 2. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE It is assumed that the candidates have studied and practiced prior to OF THIS WORKSHOP? arrival, or they would not be here. Therefore, this workshop is to assist the candidate in teaching fly fishing by offering information on how 2 Min students learn, how to analyze a cast, and understanding style vs. substance. Introducing the candidates to the goals and objectives of the Federation 55 of Fly Fishers. As well as the Federation of Fly Fishers Code of Ethics. 3. INTRODUCE TESTING • Each Panel Member To Give A Brief Bio PANEL • Introduce any BOG that may be sitting in • Introduce Any Special Guests 3 Min • Introduce any Masters that may be sitting in • Introduce any Certified Casting Instructors that may be sitting in • Make sure everyone has their handouts etc. 52 4. CANDIDATE Have each candidate introduce themselves and give information INTRODUCTION • Why they want to become certified 5 Min • What they do • Do they currently teach and where • What their goals are 47 QUESTIONS? 6. WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE The Certified Fly Casting Instructors Program was designed to assist OF THE FFF CASTING those who wish to enter into fly fishing a means by which to receive PROGRAM high caliber instruction right from the very start; so that they would 3 Min continue with the sport over a long period of time. A long term interest in the sport means more people who will support the conservation and enhancement activities of the Federation to the mutual benefit of us all. With FFF raising the level of flycasting instruction, beginners have a smoother entry into flyfishing. Flyfishers who want to build on their existing casting skill will have ready access to instructors trained to help them advance to the next level. The Program fosters the exchange of teaching and casting ideas among instructors across the continent. To educate and enhance the growth of fly casting instructors by: • establishing high standards for teaching • conducting teaching workshops that are a required part of the certification • administering a test that assesses the applicants knowledge of casting, teaching ability, and casting proficiency • conducting clinics on how to teach flycasting at FFF shows, conclaves and at consumer fishing shows • establishing and maintaining communication networks for certified instructors (i.e. pamphlets, newsletters) 42 7. WHO RUNS THE The Board of Governors for Casting Certification developed the PROGRAM program and administers it. The volunteer Board is an arm of the FFF and is made up of some the most respected names in the world of fly 2 Min fishing and fly casting, include Gary Borger, Mel Krieger, Al Kyte, Joe Libeu, Steve Rajeff, Tim Rajeff, Simon Gawsworth, Doug Swisher, Denise Maxwell, Lou Tabory, Joan Wulff and other well-know experts. The tests for certification is administered either by one member of the Board of Governors, or by two Certified Master Instructors. 40 8. FFF CODE OF • Fly anglers understand and obey laws and regulations ANGLING ETHICS associated with the fishery. • Fly anglers believe fly fishing is a privilege and a 4 Min Handout Article # 1 responsibility. Mission / Federation Code of • Fly anglers conserve fisheries by limiting their catch. Ethics • Fly anglers do not judge fellow anglers and treat them as they would expect to be treated. • Fly anglers respect the waters occupied by other anglers so that fish are not disturbed • When fishing from a watercraft, fly anglers do not crowd other anglers or craft or unnecessarily disturb the water. • Fly anglers respect other angling methods and promote this Code of Angling Ethics to all anglers. 36 36 9. WHAT WILL BE YOUR • Demonstrate a beautiful comfortable (effortless) cast OBLIGATION TO YOUR • Describe verbally and visually how to do it STUDENTS AS AN FFF • Analyze their casts for proper mechanics and flaws 3 Min CERTIFIED • Teach them to cure the flaws that inhibit their cast INSTRUCTOR? • Be a coach • Celebrate the process with them Handout Article # 2 Training Skills 33 Jim Watkins et all 10. WHAT DO THE BEST INSTRUCTORS DO? • Ask if they have had someone working with them before they begin to instruct 5 Min Handout Article # 3 • They have a plan and tell students what it is Communication • They present information in small chunks By: Bruce Richards • Balance thoughtful critiques with justified praise • Avoid over coaching, giving students time to cast alone • Ask the students to tech the instructor • Invite questions • Celebrate the process with the student while still correcting their errors 28 11. HOW DO STUDENTS The learning pyramid. LEARN? • Hearing • Seeing 5 Min Handout Article # 4 • Feeling Principles of Adult Learning 23 12. SUBSTANCE AND STYLE Do all casters use the same style at all times? 5 Min What is the difference between “substance” and “style” in casting? Handout Article # 5 Arm Styles By: Al Kyte SUBSTANCE: is the adherence to the basic or core elements of all fly casting. These are the CORE elements. 1. Removing slack 2. Rod tip traveling in a straight line 3. Casting arc varying with the amount of line being cast 4. Power being applied in the correct amount at the correct time 5. There must be a pause at the end of each stroke STYLE: Some Examples 1. Maybe in the grip 2. Stance 3. Drift 4. Wrist Describe some different styles in casting. Is one style better than another? For Example: ARM STYLES ELBOW FORWARD: Description: 1. At start of cast, elbow is directly below hand. 2. Hand at ear level 3. Hand slightly ahead of casting shoulder Used by: 1. Mel Kreiger 2. Steve and Tim Rajeff 3. Jimmy Green 4. Joan Wolf ELBOW UP TO THE SIDE: Description: 1. At start of cast, elbow is positioned out to the side at about shoulder level 2. Hand directly above elbow 3. Forearm directly in line with top of shoulder 4. Forearm pivots on elbow Used by: 1. Dan Blanton 2. Bruce Richards LOW ELBOW: Description: 1. Elbow kept low, down close to the body 2. Moved back and forth, mostly from shoulder 3. Hand comes up on the back cast 4. Hand and forearm chop down on the forward cast Used by: 5. Lefty Kreh 6. Chico Fernandez 7. Jay Clark 18 13. LOOP SHAPES How are different loops shapes formed What would be some classic shapes Handout Article #6 2 Min Analysis • Curve By: Steve Rajeff • Wedge 16 14. ANALYSIS OF THE CASTING STROKE • Loop • Stroke 5 Min Handout Article #6 • Tempo Analysis By: Steve Rajeff • Trajectory 11 QUESTIONS? 15.