Gordy:
Just want to share some comments about teaching. This
past Saturday May, 19th City Weekly Newspaper in SLC sponsored a Dutch
Oven Cook Off contest with about forty small businesses with booths at the
Gallentin Center downtown Salt Lake, a spacious out door entertainment
area. I represented Western Rivers Fly Shop and taught fly tying and
Casting. I invited Nicky Foy to help, a friend that
I assisted in teaching five years ago in a fly fishing
class, Nicky has grown into a fisher person of delight.
Five years ago she hooked into a large brown and lost it her first day on the
river, inexperience, and I was with her when she caught her first rainbow
unassisted some time later, experienced!
I invited Nicky to help me simply realizing that if she taught what she
knew of her beautiful
relaxed casting and shared her experiences she would be an
asset. She starting teaching and was a natural right away, so much so it
caught me by surprised. We taught casting almost non-stop from 12
noon to 6 P.M. in 90 degree dry heat.
The response and demand were overwhelming with a steady line of folk all
ages and experience levels but mostly beginners. Nicky is a
natural born teacher and the attraction of ladies and men to her was
immense, she had people ready with a basic fishing cast in 15 minutes or
less. The best non verbal statement she made was this is not a mans
sport! So folk take along a qualified lady to help when you do public
group teaching, not everyone has to be Certified to pass
along passion! Every person a mirror, everyone a
teacher!
Grip--That which seemed to work for the moment was simply placing the rod
in a persons hand and asking them to hold it naturally and
comfortably. Then I would make suggestions toward thumb
on top, finger on top and Jason Borgers distal grip, whichever
was closest to their natural grip, followed with this statement, "grip is
personal and for you to determine for your self, the grip should be
comfortable, allow good casting control, and help you place the fly close
to the fish." Tracking seem to be okay for a beginner.
Every person cast to a target of 30 feet and my comment, when one cast
within 30 inch circle, would be"That will Fish"
emphasizing fun and possibilities to be had on the rivers. I think
the good folk started realizing that this is something I can do.
That was the goal for each person, get them ready for fishing with a basic
cast. While this approach lacked detail attention and discussion of
casting mechanics all the summer folk, including Nicky and myself, had
a great day of fun and, I hope, had people ready to start basic beginning
fly fishing should they desire. Do you have any suggestions on how to
handle a big diverse demanding crowd of this nature?
The Beer was free and I did not drink. Jesus what is wrong with
me! Actually I was more concerned about professional image of representing
the FFF in public and on TV. Does the FFF have a position on
drinking while teaching other than the guide of common sense?
I actually think that Nicky, a very stylish good looking women with a fly rod in
one hand and beer on the table, with a little sip here and there, made people
feel very comfortable in their first casting experience. The music was
great and I can't belief I was casting and rocking with doing a little
tempo casting dance in time with the music! (If you can imagine
a whale dancing on it's tail then you will then you will have some idea of the
visual! I agree, less dancing and more Beer!)
With more folk than time allowed for detailed personal attention we still
fun and taught casting to a large number of interested folk.
I think for me, with my teaching style still evolving, is to teach with
fishing application in mind and having fun. The reason for this direction
is one gentleman remarked, I am glad you said "that
would fish" otherwise I would have no idea that I might be able to do
this.
Snow is losing its fingered grip on the mountians, just a litttle
grey on top, and it is river time. Great summer, wonderful folk and
good times to be had. Trout fever on the rise!
Jerry Puckett