Here's the most up-to-date list sent to me by Al Buhr:

THCI INSTRUCTORS
August, 2008

1. Larry Aiuppy CI Livingston, MT, USA - email: [email protected]
2. Thomas Berggren CI Malmkoping, Sweden – email: [email protected]
3. Marco Bianchi - Varese , Italy - email: [email protected]
4. Steve Buckner CI Toledo, WA USA – email: [email protected]
5. Al Buhr MCI Salem, OR, USA – email: [email protected]
6. Jay Cronk MCI Carbondale, CO, USA - email: [email protected]
7. Lee Davison MCI Rigby, ID, USA – email: [email protected]
8. Liam Duffy MCI Killeshandra, Ireland - email: [email protected]
9. Kirk Eberhard MCI Carmen, ID, USA - email: [email protected]
10. Simon Gawesworth MCI Idaho Falls, ID, USA - email: [email protected]
11. Robert Gillespie MCI* Foxford, Ireland - email: [email protected]
12. Ally Gowans MCI* Pitlochry, Scotland – email: [email protected]
13. Dennis Grant MCI NS, Canada - email: [email protected]
14. Anti Guttorm MCI* Vantaa, Finland - email: [email protected]
15. Neil Houlding CI ON, CANADA - email: [email protected]
16. Peter Humphreys CI Grand Rapids, MI, USA – email: [email protected]
17. Christopher King MCI Redding, CA, USA - email: [email protected]
18. Junya Kitahara CI Yamanashi, Japan – email: [email protected]
19. Dwight Klemin CI Salem, OR, USA - email: [email protected]
20. Mel Krieger - , Cassel, CA, USA - email: [email protected]
21. Bill Lowe - Fair Oaks, CA,USA - email: [email protected]
22. Max Malli - Varese, Italy - email: [email protected]
23. Raffaele Mascaro MCI Milan, Italy - email:[email protected]
24. Denise Maxwell – BC, Canada - email: [email protected]
25. Mauro Mazzo MCI Milan, Italy - email:[email protected]
26. Dan McCrimmon MCI , Vancouver, BC Canada – email: [email protected]
27. Steven Mear - Rogaland, Norway - email: [email protected]
28. Bob Middo MCI Redondo Beach, CA, USA - email: [email protected]
29. Clive Mitchelhill MCI Cumbria, UK - email:[email protected]
30. Andy Murray CI Nothumberland, UK - email: [email protected]
31. Kazuta Nezu - Shoutokuji, Japan – email: [email protected]
32. Brian Niska MCI - Whistler BC, Canada - email: [email protected]
33. Nobuo Nodera CI Saitama, Japan - email: [email protected]
34. Hiroshi Okada CI Nagoya Aichi, Japan - email: [email protected]
35. Peter O’Reilly MCI Navan, Ireland - email: [email protected]
36. Hideki Ozawa - Aichi-Ken, Japan - email: [email protected]
37. Nojin Park MCI* Woo Ruk, South Korea - email: [email protected]
38. Jeff Putnam MCI Sacramento, CA, USA - email: [email protected]
39. Tim Rajeff MCI Vancouver, WA, USA - email:[email protected]
40. Aaron Reimer - Carnation, WA, USA - email: [email protected]
41. Takashi Shimosawa - Takasaki-shi Gunma, Japan – email: [email protected]
42. Stener Skogmo MCI Kattem, NORWAY - email: [email protected]
43. Dana Sturn CI Langley, BC, CANADA - email: [email protected]
44. Yuzo Sugiura CI Aichi, Japan – email: [email protected]
45. Leroy Teeple CI Milwaukie, OR, USA – email: [email protected]
46. Andrew Toft CI Glasgow ,Scotland - email: [email protected]
47. Rick Whorwood MCI ON, CANADA - email: [email protected]
48. Rick Williams MCI Eagle, ID, USA - email: [email protected]
49. Dan Wright MCI Highland Ranch, CO, USA - [email protected]
50. Way Yin MCI Bellingham, WA, USA - email: [email protected]
51. William Ciaurro CI/THCI New Hampshire, USA email: [email protected]
52. Damien O'Brien THCI (GAIC) Burfort, Mallow, County Cork, Ireland: [email protected]

Can you set forth the definitions of THCI, MCI and CI so we can have some idea of the differences?
Thanks,
Joe

THCI=Two Hand Casting Instructor

MCI=Master Casting Instructor

CI=Casting Instructor

Well, that sorta makes sense. But does a CI specialize in just one handed rods or just two handed rods? And if so then why the THCI? And is an MCI qualifed to teach both single and two handed? And I assume Dana teaches two handed casting but he is listed as CI, so there must be something more to these classifications. Can I tell from the classification if the instructor is a spey casting instructor? Do the instructors have to renew to continue to be listed? Once listed/qualified does the designation expire? I thought Juro Mukai (the closest instructor to me) was a THCI but he is not listed on this list; is this a partial list?
Hey, if I don't ask, I'll never know!

Federation of Fly Fishers:

Casting Instructor Certification:

ww w.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4456

Master Casting Instructor Certification:

ww w.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4458

Two Handed Casting Instructor Certification:

ww w.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4461


Mike

Gunner,

As you will see from the earlier post, the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) is the organization which provides a certification program for casting instructors. In the certification testing there are casting proficiency tasks and oral testing of casting knowledge and instructing. The certifications are about casting instruction and not simply casting proficiency.

The first level is the CI single hand rod. This is a prerequisite for the MCI and highly recommended for the THCI exams.

The MCI is a master level instructor primarily with a single hand rod although there are a few spey casts tasks required.

The THCI is all two handed casting. This is considered a masters level exam also even though the word "master" is not in the certification. The exam is all completed with two handed rods. Oral question would generally be about two handed rods although could also include spey casting with a single hand rod.

There is no requirement to be certified at all to instruct either single or double hand rods. I am sure there a some good instructors who are not certified. The value of the certification is to have achieved a established standard in casting and instructing. Anybody can provde single or two handed instruction. I am a CI and working towards the THCI and provide two handed instruction.

As of today, the only requirements to maintain the certification is to maintain membership in the FFF and pay a annual certification fee. There is consideration by the FFF of implementing a continuing eduction or recertification component in the future.

The casting insturctor certification exams are challenging. You will need dedicated preparation time to be successful. I would encourage anyone interested to begin the journey. Great fun with awesome folks and very rewarding.

akcaster

I came across the FFF requirements for THCI last fall and knew immediately I wanted to be able to master those skills. After ten years with a spey rod I still had a lot of holes in my technique and was frustrated by it. I started adding DVD's to my collection and spent more time last winter & spring in the water. Was able to connect with Greg Pearson to teach a class on the Clearwater that starts tonight!!!

I've become a Scandi style enthusiast during that time and I noticed that the FFF requirements emphasize (require) more traditional, longer belly lines, at least a 60' head. I'm not sure I want to go back to a longer line for fishing but I can see the value of mastering all the major styles. There is a very short section in the THCI test requiring an underhand cast, shooting line, and sunk line cast. It doesn't appear that one can "major" in Scandi or Skagit and "minor" in traditional long belly style.

I'm wondering if the FFF requirements will be evolving with the growing popularity of Scandanavian and Skagit styles? Or if it will stay primarily traditional?

Right now my Scandi set-up isn't permitted because my leader would be too long.

Just curious, I think all around mastery is a worthy goal, but I wouldn't want to require Goran Anderson to use a long belly line to pass the test, although I'm sure he could get the job done!

This post was valuable to me, so I wanted to say 'thank you.'

I put it to use to avoid conitnuous bad advise.

I got to spend a couple of sessions with Peter Humpreys in Newaygo, MI.
The difference in my casting is astounding.

It is not a performance test for long belly distance casters.
It is a teaching test and there for we must know how to teach.
The test was put together as a teaching test first and foremost with the performance criteria to let the candidate perform a level that is above the average.
I work with my interns and students whom are studding for the test weekly.
I learned a long time ago that you cannot talk your way out of what you performed your way into but for this test "you can teach your way out of anything you cast your way into”.

The Test grew out of knowledge that the Two Handed Fly Rod had the position to impact fly fishing much the same way as did the tow handed serve influence tennis.
It empowered those people of less stature a way so that they could enjoy the “big waters” by Norman Maclean.

Over seven years different things were looked at and many of us stood by silently letting the test develop. Then we had to pass it for there was to be no
“Grandfathers”.
Everyone who would hold the certificate would be tested on equal grounds by their peers.

I have known Goran Anderson since the early 90’s and he is far too much of a gentleman to want any special dispensations for taking the test.
Granted he may be the Underhand Godfather who made the Scandinavia under hand cast popular.
But would want to be on the same footing as everyone else who has taken the test.

Scandinavian underhand casting as I understand it is just not for short shooting heads.

I watched Dana Underhand cast a first 75 ft Carron Dry Line I had ever seen until he could hit the other bank on my casting pool.
Must add that Gordon Armstrong using the Ness style and Allie Gown using the top hand casts did the same thing.
I have watched as Dan McCrimmon use the underhand Scandinavian cast with all of my Carrons in my TryRack on rods as short a 12 ½ ft.
It is a casting technique that is very easy to adapt to any length or style of head.
This is a link to the website for the Burud Open, won by Knut Syrstad. Knut is a regular competitor using a long belly line and spends much of the year teaching and guiding. He is one of the true masters of the Scandinavian casting techniques.
http://castingforbundet.no/bilder/bilder.asp
The test is built to put the candidate into the more difficult situations.
When you use a longer line many of the faults that the shorter head did not cover up but make too small to see comes into play.
These small faults are magnified by the longer line and thus become items to be addressed in the priority that they affect the cast.
Remember the test is about teaching you must be able to teach in the same Style of casting as the student.
I use the word style here instead of technique to show the difference.
The main difference not all styles are founded on sound techniques and it is our job to make the student a better fly fisherman through essential techniques with not too much emphasis put on Style
I was a top hand caster who loved and still do love long belly lines.
But I had to discipline myself to learn the Scandinavian style of casting.
As well as working with Mike Kinney On his style of Skagit casting (I still say that Mike is a Swede disguised as a Leprechaun, speaking Skagiteas and a good friend)...
But never the less you have to work at correcting faults and understand that just because someone does not cast the same as you he is not wrong.

The length of line is but a small matter.
I have observed test where the Rio Windcutter at 54 foot was used with 15 foot leader and 5 foot of overhang for a 15 foot rod.
It would have been much better to use a 60 foot or 65 foot head leaving less a chance to error.
The cast is 80ft from foot to fish. Remember just do not go out and measure your line at 80ft and cast.
Make an 80 foot cast and then mark your line.
I make the mark at the tip and it just a simple matter to pull the line in to the rod 10 ft for the 70 ft casts.
Take the mark out a rod length plus 5 ft for the hundred ft casts.

I hope this help I know it long winded but I am very passionate about the THCI.

Hi Gunner -

The past 18 months have been more chaotic for me than the previous 18 years! That being said I haven't received any correspondence since I moved but I believe the loss of my listing is due to a lack of payment (renewal).

So thanks, I'll look into it. I'm still teaching in fact I recently had the world's fastest learning student recently on the Deschutes, a competitive friend who got sick of his single hander by about halfway through the first pool

Juro,
It has been to long since I have seen you post.

Its also only if you pay the dues required to be certified...which for some Canadians, such as myself, is something of a issue as the FFF doesn't have a body in Canada, and the BCFFF doesn't seem to be involved in this kinda thing.

So unpaid dues, but previously certified, instructors are left out....

Uliwon,

The annual renewal fees for FFF certifications are some $25.00 per year. The FFF is an international organization with international programs and certified instructors in many countries outside of the US. There are currently many certified instructors in Canada.

I don't know for sure, but I would assume that the FFF would sanction a fly fishing club in countries outside the US. You could go to the FFF website or call their office to see what they offer internationaly.

akcaster

Uliwon,

the FFF is represented in about 24 countries.

independent Affiliate clubs ( http://www.fedflyfishers.org/Default.aspx?tabid=4359 ) are possible in all of the non-US countries.
i'm working on setting one up in France.

for more info contact Barbara Wuebber [email protected]

cheers,
marc

I'm aware of this gentleman...my point is that in Canada..the FFF is more of a club thing than a casting instructional thing...if I pay $25 to the US organization...is it transferred to Canadian organizations in my region? to promote fly fishing? no...it is not...I guess I get a little book here and there and my name listed as 'certified' but have yet to have a student tell me he looked me up there...

I'm don't wish to knock the organization...just the promote the need for our own overall national body is Canada...where my money would go over sending it south....god knows we have plenty of strong Canadian casters...

I will say that I have seen several 'Certified TH' instructors cast...and the fact they are certified amuses me....I guess they know the language but can't demonstrate it to save their lives.

Yes we all want to speak the same 'language'...but some people have different ways of communicating instruction, analogy's etc...having to fall into a narrowly defined manner, based on one instructors terms or some other committee's point of view, just reminds me how new this certification is...

there was a time when Mike Maxwell's point of view was gospel...where would he be now?...failing miserably?...R.I.P Mike)

tight lines