Jerry...
It certainly does make sense for a candidate to work with and study from as many true experts as possible. This is true for many endeavors .....not just fly casting, as you point out.
Some problems emerge with this recommendation. Many candidates live in areas remote from CBOGs and FFF Masters. Travel is time consuming and expensive, and getting more so.
I'm willing to coach any candidate who can make it down to the Florida Keys without charge.....my pleasure to do this. Many of our CBOGs have done this for years.....so I'm not unique at all.
My hope has been that our Study Group will help....at least with a lot of the required knowledge. This can go only so far, however. Nothing can substitute for those hours spent with the candidate actually teaching......PERIOD.
Our Study Group cannot give real hands-on coaching as far as the casting tasks and the, "explain and demonstrate" events. That information is best gained via direct working with experts as well as real teaching applications which, in turn, serve to provide reinforcement, teaching competence, and candidate confidence. Our Conclaves help a lot....but can't replace the "one-on-one" involvement which is gained with individual instruction as well as actually going through at least one, "pre-test".
I DO appreciate your thoughtful comments !
Gordy
From: jerry puckett <jerry_puckett2001@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Gordon Hill <hillshead@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Test Preperation
Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 10:35:06 -0800 (PST)
Gordy, just a note to you on test preparation and to Walter. Master Eddie Robinson told me he waited and prepared to take the test for an extra year so he could take it under Gary Borger because he wanted to be sure he was ready for any and all test challenges. Eddie is a marvel from which to learn. He approached, in my opinion, the Masters wisely and his teaching shows it.Some folk have a special talent for bringing out the best in others and I have experienced that with Jason and Gary Borger and especially Bob Jacklin whom I have watched give exams. On the other hand if is isn't there to bring one will not pass the exam, this I have seen with these fine examiners!I try to apply standards from Flight Training received and given on my part. Prepare oneself for what is the perceived and toughest tester to the point where you go in there knowing you are ready because have paid the price in total preparation. I never recommended a flight student for a flight test until I had personally tested him and had him test ready plus 30%. This I would tell them was to handle the anxiety factor and contributes greatly to a confident test. I think it worked pretty well as I never had a failure or report of accidents from my students over forty years--Still praying for them though!Does it not make sense with so many good CCI, BOG's and Masters not to try and learn from as many as one can and target growing areas. I have no intention of determining my readiness for the Masters test until I have spent time with as many CCI, Master and BOG as I can to let myself learn from them and be evaluated.One of the advantages of this study group is it helps one to see the areas of needed growth as a caster and instructor so thanks again for making this help available. Walter, keep up the fine effort, sounds like you are ready for the test! Thanks Jerry