I would like to hear from some certified casters about their personal journeys in becoming such. I have toyed with the idea but know absolutely nothing about how you would go about it. I've checked the website, FFF, (I think) to get some info, and maybe need to go back there, but, I'd like to hear on a personal level, what your experience was as far as study, practice, investment, frustrations, and reasons for becoming certified etc.

I would guess if I eventually decided to do it I would find a mentor and follow his lead. I know Al Burh is in Salem and Klem and locvetter are over on the Santiam side, but I'm in Central Oregon and was wondering if there was a Certified mentor locally with which to connect.

Good morning.

Al Buhr and Dwight Klemin are legitimately great casters and teachers. I am a CI, and am pretty comfortable with my single hand technique and teaching, but my name should not be used in the same sentence with those guys and the two handed world.

That said, I gotta mention that when I decided to get my CI, I read all the stuff which included seemingly condescending comments on how much one could learn preparing for the test. My goodness gracious were they correct. I failed the test the first go (My distance casting technique, especially in the snow, was a problem). Couldn't coordinate to retest for just over 6 months. I cast all but two days for six months, and did my best OCD imitation during that time. Crimaniminy, did I get better! Fishing got a lot better too -- for stripers, trout or Atlantics. I admit to being one of those with an ego to feed. Humbly accepting comments on how easy I made it look is gratifying. It did not help my wife understand my behavior, but it helped me.

Now I have decided to go for my THCI, and maybe even enter the SOR (with NO chance of being really competitive - hoping for the 140's) I'm going out to cast today, and try and cast about twice a week, which will increase as the weather permits. Dwight and Terry Lawrence will help. I just contacted Brian Styskal, for watching him will be very helpful, I'm sure.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

Go for it!

Loc

Hi SM

By 2004 I had been fly fishing for 20 years. When fishing all day, my casting shoulder and arm would be shot and sore. That is when I set out to improve my casting. I found the FFF CI program and like the structure of the program and that it combined instructing as well as casting. After a year of preparation on my own, I tested for the CI and promptly failed. Working with other CI and MCI to better understand the tasks and standards, I retested and passed in early 2006. This journey was some 15 months and in that time, my knowledge of casting and fishing increased dramatically and I met several wonderful people, casters and instructors. The committment of time (several hundreds of hours), resources (several hundreds of $) was well worth the incredible journey to a CI. And you think your casting knowledge and abilities will improve in getting a CI, just wait to you pass and continue on the journey, your knowledge and abilities will go off the charts.

Having completed my CI, my attention turned to spey casting and the THCI. In 2010 after five years of dedicated work and preparation, I passed the test. Again, the considerable committment of time and resources was well worth the awesome journey to the THCI.

FFF certifications require dedicated study and preparation. Working with a CI/MCI during your preparation will focus your study and preparation and make your process more efficient. A good casting coach can also assess where you are at presently and give you an estimation of how far you need to go to be prepared for the exam. You are lucky to be in an area with many resident certificed instructors to assist you.

Best wishes,

Mark

Although there is a practical test, Casting Instructors must instruct. Adopt the point of view of the student. Give short clear concise simple answers based on the FFF guidelines. The testers don't want to hear about your personal casting philosophy or why you think the FFF is wrong. The more you talk, the more likely you are to screw it up.

There are lots of web resources. http://www.virtualflycasting.com/

This site is update infrequently, but the material is still relevant. Go here:
http://www.virtualflycasting.com/certexam.htm

Watch each associated video.

I agree with this 100%
Effectively helping someone in their casting is often not easy.
I'm lucky as I have some great mentors and Wa state has casting pow wows every week.
The casting tasks in the tests is the easy part
Sexyloops. Com also has some great info.

Thanks guys. One issue I face is that I am particularly well suited to the book learning part- I usually get lost trying to picture detailed descriptions from sentences. Would any videos help to bridge this gap? I need visuals.

A good DVD to the process of certification is Mel Krieger's the Essence of Fly Casting. There is a book by the same title that is valuable also. You should be able to find the book and DVD at a fly shop. If not at your local fly shop, try Poppy at the Red Shed Fly shop. Red Shed is a Spey Pages sponsor.

Also the virtual fly casting website reference earlier has good videos of all the CI and MCI exam tasks.

Good luck,

Mark

Ahhh... Perfect! Thanks for the response!

I found my journey very enjoyable. Yes, lots of reading, making a workbook [questions and answers] developing casting skills. I retired as a public school music teacher so teaching/coaching with individual or groups was not a stretch for me. My challenge was becoming a skilled fly caster. The CI grounded my fundamentals and MCI refined both casting and teaching skills. The THCI opened up the total world of available casts for both single and two hand casting.
Talking all three tests and passing each on the first attempt is a powerful statement of hard work, dedication and persistence. I can definitely say anyone with a work ethic and dedication can meet the casting and teaching requirements. I found the key is to study with a mentor; a Master Instructor is the best choice if available. I took on the challenge for two basic reasons; First, to advance my casting skills and Secondly, to support my position as Education Chair for the Oregon Council Federation of Fly Fishers. What magically happen to me was casting became a passion and teaching became a enjoyment of passing on this passion to others.
The FFF is looking for casters who can teach and/or teachers who can cast. Everyone brings something to the table and I would encourage any individual to take the challenge.
The work towards certification will improve your fishing skill by improving your loop control in any situation.

Go for it pass the passion forwards

Klem ,..............::::::::::>
MCI/THCI

I took the THCI test today and am very pleased to have passed. Very thorough, very rewarding. I am now leaving the office, headed for a dram, or two, of McCallum.
Many thanks to my mentors and casting pals.

Seamus,

A big congratulations to you on passing the THCI. Welcome to the fellowship of dedicated Two Handed Casting Instructors. If your experience is anything like mine, you will continue the journey towards understanding and educating all things spey casting.

Again congratualtions.

Mark

Congratulation's-you obviously put in the effort to pass and on that test it's a lot of effort.

Congratulation!! Welcome to club. I found out that passing the THCI only opened up a door to another "Long Hallway". The Journey is exciting. Thank you for your Journey, you add validity to the program by being persistent in becoming a skilled teacher and caster. Now the Master?

Klem ,...............................................:: ::::::::::::::::>
MCI/THCI

rant - I hate single hand fly casting and single hand fly fishing, how could one ever expect single hand casting to be effective on a river that is 100 meters wide and 3 meters deep. total waste of time :-)

real question:
I gotta admit, I'm confused by the FFF site.
If you are not a CI (a single hand certification) and have no intention of becoming a CI; can you become a THCI?

Short answer: no