Master study

Gordy and Group,

Over the Holidays a CI contacted me regarding the Masters exam and in the course of our discussion I started to recall my own experience. So I thought I would share a few words of encouragement for all of you who are already on the Path and working hard at it.

Like our students we all have different personalities. For us “A” types who chomp at the bit (as I once did) we may not appreciate the process until we look back on it. For others who can accept “going with the flow”, I admire your patience and insight.

Think this over…

When you first decide to become a Master you are sure you have all the information you could ever need about fly casting. Then you are faced with the reality of how much you don’t know. Faced with that you join a study group, become enthralled by what you are learning…and then you are truly on the way. Take your time and enjoy the Odyssey…

“It is a wise man that knows what he doesn’t know.”

Appreciate all that you have learned and consider how much you would have missed on a short trip.

This is a once in a lifetime thing and once you start there is no end … the certification itself is a mere pebble on the road! Once you accept this as a “Lifelong Journey” you will be encouraged and at some point pass by the pebble in your road.

Congratulations on however far you have traveled already!

Hope this helps begin a New Year!

Jim

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Jim... To this I'll add something you and I have discussed many times in the past:

# Cast and study as much and as often as you can with other CCI's and MCCI's

# If possible, try to establish a relationship with a Master or CBOG who can function as your, "mentor". Some have the luxury of belonging to a fly casting club where this is easy to do. Others are advised to seek an advisor.

# Become critical of every cast you make as you practice. "Is this one the one I would choose to demo to students ?" "How can I improve it ?"

# Heed Bruce Richards' advice : Keep an outfit strung up and ready at all times for practice sessions.

# Do as much actual teaching as possible. Best if you can do it along with Masters. You will learn much as you teach.

# As you study, go beyond reading the fly casting books and literature. Use these as reference material each time you go back and visit a casting problem or concept. This reinforcement provides retention and deeper understanding of the issues.

# Try to attend FFF Conclaves. When you do, dig deep into the instructional courses and workshops to learn all you can.....especially the teaching methods used by the presenters.

# Any time you have a problem with a cast, a teaching method, or even a concept, pull one of us (Master or CBOG) aside and get us to help. We're ALL happy to do this.

# Be certain to set up a practice MCCI exam and go through it well before you take the real test. I think that any CBOG will do this upon request.

# I think it was Ken Cole who wisely said, " Don't take the exam when you think you are ready. Take it when you know you are ready."

TRYING TO DO IT ALONE MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

Gordy