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IFFF CCI Line Selection

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henniealberts
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#1

Post by henniealberts »

Good Day everybody. This is my first post on this forum, but I've been lurking around for some time. I've been starting to get my ducks in a row to prepare for the IFFF CCI exam. I have a 6wt rod that I use, but would like some recommendations from you guys on line selection for the exam.

I've read that the IFFF prefers a "brightly colored" line to see well. I would like to buy a line now and practice with it for the exam. This line will only be used for exam prep and not necessarily for fishing. My apologies if this have been covered in a precious post. Thanks for all the great info you all contribute.

Hendrik
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Paul Arden
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#2

Post by Paul Arden »

Hi Hendrik,

welcome to the Board! Many instructors use the SA MED Comp for this exam (before they changed the head length). This exam shouldn't be a problem with any line really. Just don't pick a line that has some brick-like taper or is camouflage!

Buy two lines incidentally. One to practise with and then save the other for spooling up right prior to the exam. Every flycasting exam I've ever taken has seen a new line!

Cheers, Paul
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Walter
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#3

Post by Walter »

Good advice from Paul regarding line choice and having a second (new) line ready for the test. Actually test it before the test just to make sure there are no unforeseen problems with it. This is not likely but it doesn't hurt to make sure.

Some points on the care and feeding of your lines:

Do not mark the line you are going to use for the test for any reason. The intent of this rule is so that you can't mark the distances for the accuracy cast but some examiners will become annoyed with any marks on the line regardless of whether they are close to the accuracy distances or not.

Clean your line often.

Learn to tie your own leaders and do not use a loop to loop connection on the line you intend to use for the test. Paul will tell you never to use a loop to loop connection but I personally use them for my fishing and school lines.

You can tell the difference between the ED (Expert Distance) and the EDC (Expert Distance Competition) version instantly because the EDC is a cheerful bright orange and the regular ED is puke green color. :p

I'm not sure how easy it is to get the SA EDC line outside of North America. I know there are other lines that will work quite well but in North America the SA EDC is the go to choice. I think Mike Barrio has a distance line in cheerful bright colors as well that people on this board speak well of. If you decide on a different line make sure the head is long enough for the roll casts. Other than that you should be able to use any line.

Good luck on the exam!
"There can be only one." - The Highlander. :pirate:

Physics for physics sake. Faith for casting sake.
henniealberts
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#4

Post by henniealberts »

Thanks so much for your speedy reply and great advice.
Massew
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#5

Post by Massew »

I agree with Walter that you should change but also check the new line before you do the test. I had a perfectly good line, changed it to a new (same brand, name and weight) and it was rubbish. No shoot at all. That added to some distress I could've done without.

Overall I think the best choice is a long belly line. There's a trade off for whichever line type you choose but a long belly has the most advantages I think.

Cheers, Massew
IFFF CCI
"The motives of fishermen are dreadfully obscure" - David Eddings
alp
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#6

Post by alp »

Hi guys
I'm just curious, why Expert Distance for exam in which there is no distance castig? Is it more appropriate to take the orange TT, which is much better line for accuracy and any form of a technical casting? Or something with similar taper. From what I saw on this exam, the biggest problem people have is with the roll cast on the grass. I do not understand why you don't test this casts on the water, because grass roll cast technique is something different from the roll cast on the water? And in both cases the TT line is much more comfortable solution. Several times I had to teach people cheating techniques for this grass roll. Cheating and teachers' skills should not be in the same book, I belive. Also, I saw people, excellent caters by the way, falling on some other exams when they cast 15 or 18 meter roll cast on the water with the MED line...
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alp
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Paul Arden
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#7

Post by Paul Arden »

Hi Alex, lots of good points. Firstly I would not recommend a long belly line for anyone struggling to make the distance cast - the TT would be a much better choice. While the MED is a great distance casting line, if the candidate is struggling to reach 75ft a long belly line such as this will make it harder not easier. However there is nothing in the FFF CI or MCI exams that requires specialist lines. It should be easy IMO for an instructor to use just about any visible line. It's exams such as AAPGAI and EFFA where the line can become an issue. In the case of AAPGAI it most certainly is and has become part of the test. I blame Ally Gowans for that :p

I could make an argument that the candidate should use tackle suitable for teaching a beginner - and for that I would not choose a long belly line. For a long time I argued that the casts should all be done over water - PUALD, Rolls, Speys - the argument I got back was sometimes testing venues had no water or if it had it was frozen.

I passed EFFA Masters, AAPGAI Masters and IFFF Masters all with the MED. 6MED in the first case 5MED in the other two. I have to say however in the case of AAPGAI it made the Spey casting particularly hard. In the EFFA Masters it made the Static Roll quite hard because they way that cast is examined I could roll cast it exactly 18.5m, which gave me .5m flexibility. Fortunately I just got very consistent at doing it.

Cheers, Paul
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alp
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#8

Post by alp »

You know I love small bets. I bet once with MED-guys that I would learn complete beginner from the street 18 m static roll in half an hour. I won. And drink it. :p

Course, the 5 wt line for that purpose is not suitable for long carry. Or any exams. Anyhow, what is the meaning of our teaching? To prove our student that we - after thousands hours of hard training - can do something that he can not; or show him how to cast and catch fish in a more pleasant way?

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Massew
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#9

Post by Massew »

I am biased to long bellys since I have used them for practise for some four years, and the first two I only wanted to cast longer and longer. Paul makes a good point above. Because of the failing line I used I had some trouble when I hauled because of too much friction. However, I cast a feet or two over 75 at the first attempt and that was that.

Good luck on your test! Where and when are you taking it?
IFFF CCI
"The motives of fishermen are dreadfully obscure" - David Eddings
VGB
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IFFF CCI Line Selection

#10

Post by VGB »

I've been dicking around between the GT125 and the Opti stillwater for a few months now. I think that practising with the 125 improves my casting, particularly the LAPPS element, but the Opti makes most of the tasks much easier. It's been an interesting journey getting the distance with the Opti though. However, I find better definition of mends and wiggles with the 125 and the Opti is great for speys.

This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it though :p
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