What would it take?

[Fire Walker]

Hello Scott
My name is Luke Mullins and I am really intrested in working towards a FFF cert.
My question is this,do you offer courses that would allow me to work towards my goal?
Also what type of course do you offer for the advanced caster? I really think I should start at the basic course just to insure correct technique. I am probably closer to the intermediate level but I would still like to put together a complete package. Thanks for your help. Luke

[B983]

Scott, BE ADVISED http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif
Luke is an excellent caster, just make sure you lock up your Goats, Pigs and any other critters before he comes over http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif
Firewalker where have you been ?????
Tight Lines
Brent

[Scott Swartz]

Luke,
Welcome to the new forum (local schools) you’re the first post since this was set up last week I’m glad you are interested in the FFF’s casting certification program. The program is growing and is the best study program and test of abilities to cast and to TEACH casting I know of. There are many great teachers around Atlanta fly shops and you do not need any certification to teach casting but I require all of our instructors to be at least basic FFF certified instructors if not Master certified. This insures our students have instructors who have passed written tests, oral tests, and practical casting examinations. There is a big difference between being a good caster and a good teacher of casting. I know…that’s how I got involved.

To answer your question, yes, we teach an instructors program. Our monthly school classes are Beginning Fly Fishing & Beginning Fly Casting, which are grounded in the basics but advanced enough that even seasoned fly fisherman can learn from them. In addition to our monthly beginner classes we provide private casting lessons, which include video analysis, as well as private training lessons for instructors wanting to test with the FFF. One of our current instructors came to us as a student last March for private lessons to become an instructor and I can proudly say was told he was the best candidate they had ever tested…(we know the test inside and out and as Master Casting Instructors we are charged with upholding the testing quality)

To prepare for the test you should start to work on the casting requirements. The following are the requirements for the casting test. You should be able to do these the first attempt and with out a lot of effort. You’ll also want to attend as many classes by as many different instructors as you can to see how others teach the sport.

PERFORMANCE TEST FOR MASTER CERTIFIED CASTING INSTRUCTOR
Equipment: 9 ft rod (maximum)
Line: #7 wt floating (maximum)
Leader: (7 ½ minimum) with a yarn fly
NOTE: In all cases, candidate must demonstrate the good, relaxed form that would be expected in a Master certified instructor, and which would instill confidence in students. The tasks would be accomplished quickly and easily. This is not a matter of taking many trials to accomplish the task once.

CONTROL CASTS:
Loops:
Demonstrate increasingly larger casting loops starting with wide loops and becoming increasingly more narrow over five to six false casts. Casting distance 45-50 feet.
Demonstrate tailing loops on the backcast on demand at a distance of 40 feet.
Line Control:
Demonstrate a series of side arm casts progressing from the vertical to the horizontal at a distance of 40 feet and make two false casts at each position
Repeat the above demonstration on the opposite side of the body
Demonstrate a controlled slack line cast at 40 feet, first with a series of wide slack waves, and then with a series of narrow slack waves
Demonstrate aerial mends at approximately 15, 25, and 35 feet. Mends may be made either to the right or left at caster’s option.
Demonstrate positive and negative curve casts at approximately 40 feet.
Explain and demonstrate how to cast "parallel loops", i.e., loops in which the top leg of the is directly above the bottom leg, and explain why loops get "out of parallel, " and why this is bad.
ROLL CASTS
Demonstrate a normal roll cast in which the leader straightens completely at 50 feet.
Same as above from opposite side of the body.
Demonstrate a "shooting roll cast" to 55 feet, using a single haul.
Demonstrate a roll cast pick-up (as would be used, for example, with a bass bug).
Demonstrate concept of a single spey cast at 40-50 feet (use a single handed rod if a spey rod and facilities are not available. Allowances will be made if cast done on grass rather than on water)
Demonstrate concept of a double spey cast at 40-50 feet (use a single handed rod if a spey rod and facilities are not available. Allowances will be made if cast done on grass rather than on water)
ACCURACY CASTS
False cast several times and place fly accurately to targets at 30, 40 and 55 feet. (Start at 30 feet target, pick up fly, false cast several times and present at 40 feet target and so on.)
Same as above, except over opposite shoulder
Roll cast to target at 50 feet (Starting with less than 20 feet of line. Shake line out, and have line land close with 3 tries)..
DISTANCE CASTS
Demonstrate continuous double haul casting for 5-8 false casts at 50-55 feet
Demonstrate a distance cast of a minimum of 85 feet.
INSTRUCTING ABILITY
Explain and demonstrate a "saltwater type cast." Start with fly in hand and approximately 20-25 feet of line extended from the rod tip. Shoot to 60 feet, with no more than 2-3 false casts.
Explain and demonstrate the casting technique used to cast a heavily weighted fly or sinking-tip line.
Explain and demonstrate "change of direction" casts," i.e., from a downstream position to an upstream presentation.
Explain and demonstrate casting with a strong head wind, tail wind and wind from either side.
Explain and demonstrate how to cast "parallel loops," i.e., loops in which the top leg of the loop is directly above the bottom leg, and explain why loops get "out of parallel," and why this is bad.


After mastering these casts work on making them look easy. I will be glad to help you with them. While mastering the casting work on teaching skills, lesson plans, and general knowledge about equipment, lines, leaders, knots, species, techniques, specialty casts and etiquette, etc…they will expect you to have a broad knowledge of all species and the techniques, flies and equipment to fly fish for them. While all of this is expected the test in the oral and practical are mostly about your ability to teach and to look at a cast and diagnose what is wrong and how you would go about helping improve it.

Please call me at 404-550-6890 and we’ll cast together and talk further about the fun and enjoyment of teaching fly fishing.

Tight lines and smooth drags,
Scott Swartz

[Fire Walker]

Oh well if thats all it takes http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif It sounds like I've got some work to do! I will be in touch this week to discuss a schedule. I look forward to working with you Scott Thanks again, Luke Mullins