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Walter & Group...
[GH] From Mac Brown:
Gordy,
I wanted to comment that my statement was in no way meant in disrespect to Lefty or those that like these types of phrases. I have an immense amount of respect for him and consider him a friend! His choice of words can be very effective with new casters-he is quite masterful with this gift when you include his humor that comes with it too! We all change our opinions as we grow -that is the self discovery of learning.
We commented not to a group of newbies but to an elite group of fly casters globally. I realize that many use these catchy phrases with new casters to get a result quick in the field. It is dangerous if you plan on working with them later on their journey of casting to tell them one thing and change it as they advance. One must choose their words wisely in the field. That is why I commented to begin with-if we are to move forward in this casting group and the global network of top notch instructors then we must breakaway from some things that were traditionally taught while embracing other gems. These gems will come from those who question and lead rather than those that follow. There are many great casters who question and lead around the globe!
Imagine you had a CCI or MCI candidate testing and he went down that road of quoting the "line follows the rod tip" during an explanation. That would be a mighty tough hole to dig out of for a MCI in my opinion. Would you ignore the comment, challenge them to show you some examples, or sit back and let them dig in deep? I think I would let them dig in deep and hope they have a self discovery moment to question? If they did not see the light, maybe it will turn on for them at a later date-which is the fun thing about it to begin with-right? Casting is easy if you come into it from an artistic approach. It is highly complex if you want to really understand, apply, and teach it. Hence, the necessity for a moderate level of first learning some basic mechanics.
Cheers
Mac Brown
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[GH] Mac,
You have helped put this in perspective. Allow me to take it one step further:
We have many methods of teaching fly casting. One of them is to do it by using reasonably accurate physics and mechanical terms. to provide an in depth understanding by the student. This is the way we coach Master candidates.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there is what many have termed, Direct teaching. Most effective teaching by most fly casting instructors lies somewhere in between.
David Diaz (our new BOG chairman) received many praises for his workshop on direct teaching at West Yellowstone this summer. I only regret that I wasn't present for what many felt was an outstanding presentation.
Direct teaching is a tried and true method which Al Crise (Ol Al) used to teach youngsters to cast. He had a special talent for doing this which resulted in so many kids learning to cast and cast well. While most of us were using terms like "acceleration", "tip speed" and "line speed", he'd be teaching a group of kids with terms like, "Zoomies". I can almost hear him now telling a boy, "Add 3 more zoomies and it will go way out there !" or, "Take off a couple of zoomies and you won't get that knot in the leader". He'd never talk to those kids about a "convex rod tip path"..... rather, his instruction would be to, "Paint a rainbow in the sky with the end of your rod" ..... On and on.
One of my own faults in teaching fly casting is to make the tacit assumption that adult students have more of a grasp of elemental physics than they really possess.
I've since learned that the method of teaching should be based on many things including how the student learns best and the objectives of the lesson. Sometimes the "kiss principle" is the way to go. *
When I recognize that I may be losing a student's attention as I do this, I back up and try to say the same things with simpler language. This usually works well. To accomplish this, I realize I must deviate to some degree from strictly correct terms and concepts.
On more than one occasion, I have visited Lefty for the express purpose of spending a day learning his methods of teaching. Why? Because they work so well. I went home a better instructor. Bob Andreae and Jim Valle have joined me on a couple of those trips. They felt the same way.
Testimony to Lefty's use of a form of what I've called, "direct teaching" is the fact that he is uncanny at getting people of all educated levels to learn to cast well in short order. You and I have witnessed him do this countless times. His sprinkle of unceasing humor is the icing on the cake !
To those who would criticize instructors who use these direct teaching methods, I say, "Lighten up and keep an open mind" !
Best,
Gordy
* Keep it sweet and simple
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