Changes to the MCCI exam

Gordy,

Interesting to hear we are anticipating casting with the non-dominant hand in 14 weeks. We all want to be prepared to pass.

Could you reveal all other test changes to be expected and when they are to go into effect?

Thanks,

Gary Eaton

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I understand the specifics of the new exam are to be coming out on the FFF website very soon. They won't be going into effect until January. Since the changes are not sweepingly different, the CBOG felt that this was plenty of time for candidates to finish preparations.

Don't let the task of casting with the non-dominent hand throw you. It entails simple basic straight line overhead short distance casts with decent loop formation. Hauling will not be necessary. You will remember that it was with this in mind that I held message sessions on how to teach ones self to do this a couple of months ago.

The idea is that it would be best for a Master or CBOG to know how to do this to make it easier to teach students who have a primary casting arm different from their instructor. (Of course, there are other ways of doing this, but this one places another in what should be a full bag of teaching tricks.)

As soon as I got wind that this would be discussed and likely passed, I started teaching myself to do it and found it easily accomplished to this basic level within a half dozen sessions. Our CBOG's will all do this as we will not ask our candidates to do anything we cannot do. I'm working to improve my opposite hand hauling technique at this point.

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In lieu of the previous task of making a tailing loop on the back cast, the candidate will be asked to make tailing loops on the forward cast in three different ways. Examples:-

2.) A tail made by making a cast without creep, but with a stroke and rod arc too short for the length of line carried.

3.) A tail made with no creep and the stroke length and rod arc correct for the amount of line carried, using inappropriate application of power.

(Personal hint: All 3 of these actually result in a concave rod tip path made by different casting scenarios each of which leads to inappropriate use of power with acceleration during the stroke which cannot be maintained .)

The examiners cannot flunk a candidate if asked to do two extra tasks, but might well look favorably on the overall performance if asked and then accomplished well. These might be:

2.) Making a tail on the forward cast by casting with less than 180 degrees between the back cast and the forward cast with the rod plane unchanged (ie. high back cast followed by a high or horizontal trajectory forward cast.)

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Another is change in the accuracy events, and is (as I see it) easier on the candidate than before, because the task description is more clear.

I don't have the exact wording before me, but my recollection is that the target distances will not be changed from the 30', 40' & 55' targets.

The task will start with the candidate holding the fly in hand. No fly lines will be allowed which are marked in any way which would assist in judging distance. (Ok, for example, to have a mark at the back of the head ..... but not distance markers.)

While allowences may be made for windy conditions, I recall that the fly must land within a circle the diameter of which is 30".

The first cast will be to the middle target (40'). The fly is then to be picked up and presented to the 30' target, then, finally, to the 55' target.

I honestly cannot remember if the diameter of the 55' target will be greater. I know that was discussed.

I recall that this must also be done with the rod tip over the opposite shoulder.

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A candidate may be asked to do one or a number of casting tasks not specified on the exam. As with those cited, above, he/she cannot be flunked on any such task not actually listed.

AT THIS POINT I'LL ASK DUSTY SPRAGUE TO COMMENT AND CORRECT ANY INACCURACIES IN MY TEXT. AS YOU MAY KNOW, HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE MCCI TESTING COMMITTEE.