Anxiety during testing and teaching / Tom

Walter & Group.........

I send you about 20% of the messages I receive.  Impossible to send them all even though most are very good.

This one speaks, I feel, to the pressures of testing (both giving a test and being tested) and teaching, especially to groups.  Jeff Wagner has some golden advice :-

Gordy,

 

I have not responded for a while, but have some time so I thought I would make a comment here.

 

I think the topic of nerves often relates to experience.  Those that know me are aware I can be a big bundle of anxiety.  At the same time many have seen me give classes, seminars and the like and few would ever know that. 

 

I believe it is important and certainly it worked for me to get involved. Teach when you have the opportunity.  Not just when it feels comfortable but when others are around.  Give seminars and classes at shows and in front of people.  And if you are so inclined compete in casting competitions.  Competitions are a great way to get over the nerves.  Test your skills in front of crowds.

 

But most importantly dont be afraid to make mistakes.  We are all human and we have all seens CI's, Masters, BOG's, and notable celebrities knot a line during a demo, forget what they were talking about, or make an embarrassing mistake. 

 

Jeff Wagner

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Comments:  Jeff has given one of the very best workshops I've ever attended .... on distance casting.  As most of you know, he's a true champion competition caster at ACA events.

Don't ever pass final judgement on a caster or, for that matter, on a single presentation which is flawed.  We all have, "bad hair days"!  Unfortunately, when a candidate is tested, he/she needs to be in top form.  No meltdowns there.

Read his advice carefully.

Talk about stressful downturns .......Once, years ago, I gave a lecture to 2500 operating room nurses from all around the country.  I called for questions which were passed on paper to an aisle monitor and brought up to the microphone.  I unwrapped each one and answered each question.  Just before closure, I opened one which said:          

                                                    "Your fly is open"

Turned out it wasn't.

When you're teaching a group and you call for quetions, be prepared for anything !

Gordy

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About Tom White ....... from Jeff Wagner:-

Gordy,

 

We just had our Denver International Sportsments Exposition and I would like to relay a similar story of Tom if I could:

 

I can remember coming to the Denver International Sportsmens Exposition for the first time, probably around age 18.  The shock and awe of a huge show and the giants of fly fishing on the pond, Tom White included, made it a memorable experience.  I don't remember how Tom and I first met, in fact now I find it hard to believe that I can't remember our first metting, It seems as though it would be so memorable.  Then again Toms wonderful way of making people feel comfortable, like old friends, made everyone feel like they had known Tom from years past, as though no official meeting had ever needed to occur.

 

Over the next few years our infrequent meetings became a welcome and anticipated event at area shows and conclaves.  Tom would often watch me cast, help me with my cast and encourage me toward the FFF exams.  My opportunity to take my Masters test with Tom at the Denver ISE show was more than a great experience.  Almost 5 years ago I can still remember the anticipation leading to test time.  I was nervous, as most are, but Tom greeted me with a big smile.  Put his hand on my shoulder and made a few comments just to me as we walked toward the area to take the test.  For the next 4 hours Tom asked questions, tough questions, questions that really challenged my understanding of the sport and of fly casting.  But in all of it Tom gave me the sense that this was not something to be feared but an opportunity, an opportunity that would take considerable effort on my part.  It was a great feeling when I passed the test, I can remember feeling a sense of pride that was was almost undescribeable after working so hard.  I believe Tom could sense this and in his own way assured and encouraged me this was not the end of the road but the beginning.  If I thought I knew what I was talking about now he assured me I would be humbled by what I was about to learn.  He was right you know!  Those few words made me take a few moments to reflect on what I knew but more importantly on what I had to learn.  Tom's words of advice are still with me today.

 

Tom's line "Its just fly fishing" has stuck with me over me the years.  It seems like such an odd statement coming from someone that made so much of his life about the sport.  On the other hand it seems so fitting.  You could just tell he cared more for those around him than for the sport.  The sport was a way to meet people and share his joy, he never made it about what he knew or compared himself to others.  The sport did not define him, he was to big for that.  He helped define the sport.

 

I find myself thinking back on the time I knew Tom more and more often.  It seems odd that Tom is not at the shows. His huge smile and big voice welcoming those that found their way into his life. 

 

I thank Tom not only for being a great example as an instructor but as a friend that always had time to help me with my cast, spend time on the pond, or just talk.  I find myself getting a little emotional just writing this.  What a great example he was. 

 

The ISE show was this last weekend, the 2nd year without Tom.  Our local casting club gave gave lessons and made new friends.  I hope that we can continue to do that in memory of Tom.  As he showed us that was and still is the best way to share our love of the sport of fly fishing.
--
Jeff Wagner
Master Certified Fly Casting Instructor
Fly Fishing Guide, Kirks Fly Shop
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