Paul Arden wrote:Getting out and practising on people is a very good idea, Jarmo. The vast majority of candidates have done absolutely zero teaching, which is as expected of course. Even if you've only taught a few people you will be ahead of the game. It always shines through.
I am not a fishing bum like you guys, but as a teacher I do have some benefits as far as free time in summer is concerned. My plan is to teach quite a few people (for free) this spring and summer. And I have taught some already, that is how I found out how much I enjoy it. (And noticed that getting a certificate would be a good idea.)
Bernd Ziesche wrote:
Usually proper fly casting lessons come with those instructors a) having significant experience in teaching, b) willing to give away every single detail they know about fly casting and c) being uptodate with their knowledge.
Learning how to teach fly casting is the same in my book. You may want to look out for an experienced fly casting instructor willing to let you look into his tool box of teaching skills.
Fair to say not every experienced instructor will be happy to share his tool box though.
In my own point of view the worst thing that can happen is to have fly casting instructors offering high priced fly casting lessons while coming with inappropriate teaching skills. That easily ends up in students not (if ever) joining a fly casting lesson again. So I indeed prefer to share my teaching skills with those aiming to teach theirthelves. I know Paul shares his teaching skills as well as do some others.
Yes, it would be great experience indeed. Chances to co-operate with such an experienced teacher may be few, unfortunately. IIRC Paul was planning at some point to drive through Finland on his way to Sweden from Russia. Do I remember correctly? If so, maybe I could intercept him. Paul?
Nonetheless, I am not too concerned about my development as a fly casting teacher
at this point. I had a week off last week, and spent a good deal of it on the CI test by gathering information (lots), planning, analyzing videos and making some contacts. We are enjoying a fresh breeze from Russia at the moment, so no casting, unfortunately. Anyway, I learned a lot, and also noticed that my way of thinking as a teacher transfers at least to some degree to teaching casting. When I examined how some experienced instructors teach, I found their methods somehow familiar and intuitive. I feel confident that when I just study and practice hard, it will come to me. Up to some point. Not claiming that I would be a natural, or it would be easy to become an expert.
From my experience people who have the most ideas are always willing to share them. If someone wants to keep secrets, I don't mind. Not even in general, but especially in teaching fly casting: this can be somebody's livelihood, while it is just my hobby.
