Just what is the Federation of FF's?
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Just what is the Federation of FF's?
I'm sorry.... i understand it's a conservation education group....I was more interested in how say they compare to Trout UnLtd.....I thought I heard the FFF lambasted on this board....just want the skinny....that's all....
Both Trout Unlimited (TU) and the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) have local groups. There are good and bad groups in both. TU spends of greater part of its dues sueing States or the Federal Government to protect streams, watersheds, remove dams etc. From that point it perhaps is the most actively involved in conservation. TU local groups are usually very active in restoring local waters.
The 'slams' on this board are related to the Certified Casting Instuctor program of FFF.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
I will say again what I posted on the subject of fishing guides. "Sometimes the ink is not worth the paper it is printed on."
Just because you can demonstrate the steps needed to get a certificate for fly casting instructor, it will not make you a good teacher. Teachers are born not made by attendance and test scores.
[This message has been edited by Parnelli (edited 06 March 2002).]
I belong to both TU and FFF, and basically the difference is that TU is concenerned with cold water fisheries and FFF deals with both cold and warm water fisheries. I don't know to much about what goes on at the national level, but I do know that our local chapter is involved in teaching newcomers to the sport about fly fishing and tying. We are also involved in stream restoration and clean-up projects, here in Oklahoma as well as in Arkansas and Missouri. We have also donated money to the Three Dollar Bridge project and others in western states.
Steve Crosby
Sec.- Tulsa Fly Fishers
My club is affiliated with FFF here in Arizona. I think that the activity varies a bit from area to area. FFF has contributed good solid cash to some fishery improvement projects here in Arizona, so I imagine they do the same elsewhere. As mentioned above, TU seems to be more of a watchdog. However, having said that, I've heard that in Richmond, VA for instance, the local TU chapter is the only group that holds monthly meetings for fly fishers. (Could be misinformed?)
If you're looking for a group that you can interact with on a very regular basis and find folks that will impart knowledge, fish with you, cheer you up when you get skunked, etc. look for a local fly club that meets regularly....check the brochures out in the local fly shops.
Good luck.
Silvertop
Silvertop: "If you're looking for a group that you can interact with on a very regular basis and find folks that will impart knowledge, fish with you, cheer you up when you get skunked, etc" look no farther than Fly Angler's Online. Okay three out-of-four, ain't too bad. You figure which one don't match up....
I am a board member of our local FFF affiliated club,started by 6 people and in 6 years we have grown to 100. If you want to find out what we stand for and do for ffishing you should visit the FFF web site. [url=http://www.fedflyfishers.org:b89e7]www.fedflyfishers.org[/url:b89e7] Mine is under Indiana "The Three Rivers Fly Fishers." The FFF has clubs all over the world. I doubt TU can say the same. You name it and we do it for fly fishing, stream clean up,teaching everything from fly tying in the schools to rod building. Our latest is tying every Monday evening for new tyers(we get new members that way). Name speakers each month. The Great Lakes Council(20 clubs in Ind Ohio & Mich) hosts a large fly tying shows with 100 of the best tiers. Some on this forum wrote about certified casting instucters. They are the best I can vouch for that with two friends that have passed the strict tests. The TU tried to start a club in Indiana. Go to the FFF web site, you might like us and start your own local club.
TU is dedicated to the conservation of cold water fisheries most notably trout water. It is not a fly fishing organization, although many members are certainly are fly fishers. FFF is an organization dedicated entirely to fly fishing, whether it be cold, warm or salt waters. TU has more of a conservation slant while FFF is more of a fishing club although FFF cetainly gets involved w/ conservation issues. I belong to both and they each serve an important function and are both good organizations. Check out your local chapters and go to few meetings to get a feel for what meets your needs best. I'm sure local chapters vary widely around the country.
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Ron M
William, if you do indeed know two excelent casting instructiors, your to be envied. However would not these folks be casting instructiors with or with the title? I know were my money would be on that bet. of course they would. All true teachers teach because they need to share, its part of their makeup,its part of what you admire in them. the fact that they are FFF certified, goes to the longing to be a part of something larger than themselves,to a hope that they will further learn and pass on that knoweldge. There in lies the fustration youve seen come from some of us here. That a program that was inocently started to further provide information to thoes who would carry it to them that could benifit. Has become something more identified with greed and ego, than the promotion of the skill refinment it takes to fully injoy the flyfishing experence is sad. I do not utter these words lightly, but with a hope that someday the FFF program will become the vehicle,by which any worthy instructior can point to with pride,and say "I am part of something greater than myself." with sincere hope Capt. Paul Darby
Capt Paul Darby I see you and other are misinformed about a certified casting instructor.It`s not a title that they wave at everyone,in fact I bet 6 out of our 100 club members know it. If you want the best help they are willing to teach anythng froma 3 wt to a 14 foot spey rod. I learned the hard way years before you were no doubt born by my father. I have seen my friends spend many hours teaching children and adults. Have you ever taken time to teach??? They do pay a for the testing,some don`t pass. AS for the TU I didn`t want to bring up the fact that they aren`t a fly fishing organizaton but I see one one did that for me. The FFF is the only organized advocate for fly fishers worldwide.
I stayed out of this for a reason, but Mr. Fitzgerald, you managed to get me into it anyway. It's that same attitude you just demonstrated that keeps hundreds away from a group that could otherwise lure folks with talent in. Your comment: "Have you ever taken time to teach???" demonstrates exactly what deters so many of us from the FFF and especially its certified casting program. Capt. Paul Darby has taken the time to teach many people from all walks of life. When a well known rod designer recently decided that he should brush up on his long casting skills, did he call you or the FFF to do the job? No! He called Capt. Darby because he knew Paul's reputation as an instructor and he also knew he would get what he wanted without the overlay of ego so many "certified" instructors dish out.
You don't know Paul, but damn if you didn't throw a rock anyway. Glad you were able to point out your attitude so well.
Well, looks like the nuts are off the buggy wheel again. I am not going to comment again on FFF, but I do know hundreds of TU Members who are under the mistaken idea that their group is a fly fishing group. Since I was the first female member of Trout Unlimited, in the first organized TU Chapter, Mershon Chapter, Saginaw Michigan, I can tell you the founders of TU founded it to protect the fishery. Gosh, maybe we were/are all fly fishers.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
In light of your answer Wiiiam, I have only one gift left to offer, my shoes.
Capt. Paul Darby
I don't know a whole lot about FFF. However, TU is an excellent organization. They are not specifically a fly fishing group - but are more interested in conservation specific issues. I would highly recommend taking a look at their web site: [url=http://www.tu.org:e427e]www.tu.org[/url:e427e]
Its well worth your time.
Oh well, here goes nothin'
As a member of TU, I want to state that TU is an organization dedicated to preserving Trout and their habitat. It so happens that in my chapter everyone I know is a fly fisher and we have a fly tying session prior to the chapter meetings, give tying classes and have guest speakers talk about fishing. What we do for work is promote Salmon restoration in the CT. River, try to influence policy concerning Trout habitat and do stream and river restoration projects in conjuction with other organizations. Those projects involve physical labor. The focus of what we do is the restoration and habitat work. Just so happens that almost all of us fish. Thats probably true of all TU chapters. Know of a non-flyfisher that wants to get active in TU. They'll be welcomed with open arms.
As for FFF, they don't exist in my area or if they do they are "below the radar screen".
First I would like to appolaize to the few that I may of offended. It seems the world "Certified" is offensive and rubs one the wrong way. Until they know what it stands for and the hundreds of known ffishers that are qualified I feel they shouldn`t comment. Don`t know of any that use it to boost their ego. My opinion!!!
JED- As for the salmon in the Conn River they would have a hard time going over the Holyoke dam if it wasn`t for the water lift my dad company installed. Your statement about FFF clubs in NE wasn`t correct--8 in Mass 3 in Conn, and 2 in NH. Many more TU clubs
WF,
Thank your dad for me. That and the Ladder in Turner Falls make this a possibiility. Try fishing below the Holyoke dam sometime for Shad. They are great fun on a fly rod. Last year I was glad I had to stop fishing at noon. I was developing Carpel Tunnel Syndrom from reeling in so many fish ;-)
If not a single salmon returns, the Salmon Restoration Project is still a success for all of the school children that are involved in it and for the conservation they learn. While I am sure there are FFF's in New England and MA, there might even be one in my town, but I never hear about them or what they do. They sure are keeping out of site in my part of the state.
Jed
I was a Senior Instructor in the US Army and one of the few NCO Course Managers of MOS Training. My motto was, "Student hasn't learned, the Teacher hasn't taugth!" Seen many people who went thru classes on how to properly teach, and if they did not have the gift, all the schooling in the world would not make them a great teacher. Either you got it, or you don't.
Parnelli knows what he's talking about. Teaching is God given and if you don't have a passion for it, you won't get your points accross. I've been a TU member since 1992 and an FFF member since 1994. I'm now a TU life member and soon to be a FFF life member. The point is, we need more members of all these organizations, not less. Join them all, get off you *** and do something for the fish, the inviornment, the water, the rivers and streams, and yourself, and stop *****ing about this and that. It's counter productive and stupid. Opinions are like *******s, everybody has one. GET IT? Better known as, YOU DIG? m.j.romero p.s. my wife failed the FFF cretification test twice, not because her casting wasn't adaquate, but because her English isn't that hot. So what, she's still teaching and enjoying it, and getting paid for it sometimes. You don't need the FFF for that.
I teach and love it and get paid for it, and i do it for free also. And, i've never even thought about FFF certification, who needs it!
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mark j. romero
M&M Fly Fishing
[This message has been edited by willowhead (edited 07 March 2002).]
[This message has been edited by willowhead (edited 07 March 2002).]
I'm not saying that conservation groups are'nt helpful...but sometimes national organizations that do not have local knowledge sometimes seem to really blow it.....
Are all dams bad?
Considering some tailwater fisheries, our reliance on fossil fuels for power, other recreation (for instance whitewater rafting or fisheries in impoundments) I surmise
that some are actually beneficial.....
How can a species be endangered in this country when it most certainly is not in a neighboring country?
Just some food for thought....
Howdy
I am an FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor and dang proud of it.
I have given many hours of casting lesson before and after I became certified. Why do I send in my money every year. To help others learn about our watershead and enjoy fly fishing more, supporting the FFF goals.
I do get paid to do shows and most times I do not. Private lesson are that.
The support I get from other FFF instructors is great. If you what to see some in action try the 'Fly Fish 2002' in Athens Texas on March 23,02 Sponsered by the FFF clubs of Texas. Seven FFF instructors are teaching fly casting on 4 levels for FREE.
Yes LF I know how it got started and who started it, a Texan. Look what it has grown into. Sure we had growning pains. Grew better because if it. Not worse. Now we have INSTRUCTORS. Not just casters or want-to-bes
"Fly casting is as easy as flysoup" *
Allen R. Crise
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor [url=http://www.fedflyfishers.org:2a3aa]www.fedflyfishers.org[/url:2a3aa]
Hawk Ridge Tackle & Flycasting School
"Custom Rods"
2508 A CR 1011
Glen Rose, Tx, 76043
<flysoup@itexas.net>
<www.geocities.com/rrdoctor>
254-897-2045
Trinity River Visions [url=http://www.trinityrivervision.org:2a3aa]http://www.trinityrivervision.org[/url:2a3aa]
Fly Casting Chairman Fly Fish 2002 [url=http://flyfishtexas.org/:2a3aa]http://flyfishtexas.org/[/url:2a3aa]
Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor [url=http://www.bsaflyfishing.com/bsreqs.html:2a3aa]http://www.bsaflyfishing.com/bsreqs.html[/url:2a3aa]
Ft. Worth Fly Fishers Education Chairman <www.fortworthflyfishers.com>
Texas Anglers Education Instructor [url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/anged/fishtx.htm:2a3aa]http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/edu/anged/fishtx.htm[/url:2a3aa]
Buck's on the Brazos Fly Casting Instructor <www.buckbrazos.com>
* The reason for 'flysoup'
Take any water and cast a fly upon it.
It is good for body and soul.
I don't know anybody in that group who was a Texasan, who was that?
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
As I was going through college I had some professors who were extremely adamant that we referred to them as Dr. Whatever. They felt that they earned the title and they were entitled to the respect of the position. I had other professors with PhD's who wanted to be referred to by their first name, the title didn't mean that much to them. If the biggest complaint of the certified casting instructor program is that some people have egos, then it should be a good program. The FFF has no control over human nature and it is NOT the fault of the FFF that some people choose to flaunt their certification. A certification is just a piece of paper, I have a Master's Degree and that is just a piece of paper. It is how I apply myself that demonstrates my ability, not a piece of paper that hangs on the wall. I personally have 3 friends that I have known and fished with for over 3 years who are certified casters. It was just recently that I learned they were certified FFF casters. The subject never came up with us and I learned that my friends were certified from a fourth person. Teachers are no more born than jet fighter pilots are. Good teaching skills come from practice, dedication, and desire. It does help to have an affinity for teaching and certain personality types will excel more than others, but that doesn't mean that only certain people can be good at it. I have no kids but I'm pretty sure that parenting is very much like having a 24/7 teaching job. If teachers are born and everyone else has no chance then only certain people would make good parents. I don't think that is the case.
Regarding the FFF and how involved they are, the FFF is very dedicated to teaching. There are numerous programs dedicated to teaching kids to fish, tie flies, and whatever else and nearly all of them that I am aware of is free. I am a board member of a FFF club in northeast Ohio (www.ncff.net) and we run many free teaching programs. The FFF is dedicated to teaching fly fishing to whoever wants to learn. TU is NOT a fly fisherman's club, I personally know two bait fisherman who are members of TU. TU is a conservation club, it just so happens that the users of the resource are most concerned with concerving it. I'm fairly sure that TU has done some projects where they restricted access to fishermen.
One last question? I thought I heard that JC and LF ran a casting school for a rod company. If that is true, was a certification required? If so, should we now begrudge JC and LF for holding a casting instructor's certification? I know I wouldn't.
Mskoz
Ok, one more time. JC and I were part of the group which STARTED the FFF Casting Instructor Certification Program. Please note the word INSTRUCTOR. The idea was to TEACH folks to teach, thereby improving the quality of people teaching casting classes.
There is no FFF Certified Caster. If they took the class and the test and passed they are supposed to be FFF Certified Casting Instructors. If they can teach, wonderful!
If they can't, it would seem FFF isn't going it's job - which is where this whole mess started. It was NEVER intended to be a piece of paper with bragging rights - no one should ever have it who is not totally qualified to teach.
Both of us were FFF Certified Casting Instructors. We taught casting schools for over 30 years - well before the FFF program was started.
We taught with rods from several companies, and although I was on the G. Loomis and Gatti Pro Staff, (JC was on the Gatti Pro Staff), none of our schools were ever for any particular rod company.
I'm delighted you have so many friends who have passed and are FFF Certified Casting Instructors. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring new folks into fly fishing with the proper casting skills. The best thing since sliced bread. At least that WAS the original intent.
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LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
I don't suppose anybody else noticed it, but the attitude of some people is that if you aren't FFF certified, you aren't qualified to teach fly casting. My problem goes deeper than that. Certain local FFF "certified" instructors have tried to prevent me from teaching the Boy Scouts and several other youth organizations the basics in fly casting and fly fishing because I have chosen to not participate in the FFF program. Citing that I wasn't qualified to teach because I don't have that certificate, they have tried to muscle their way with me and those clubs. One even tried to tell one group that they were on shakey legal ground if they let me teach their group. Of course, when asked if he would like to teach them instead, he had a steep fee schedule that priced his services out of their market.
Some of the people on this board are very lucky to have generous public servants who are certified members of the FFF instructor program in their group. However, there are some people in that organization who have a totally different agenda.
Some of the finest casting schools in this country are run by fully capable and qualified instructors who don't have and don't care to have a FFF certification. I have already seen it in this string and other places, FFF members trying to cast doubt on the qualifications of anyone who doesn't have FFF certification. I doubt it was a slip of the keypad when Paul Darby was asked if he ever tried to teach. The fact is that Paul is one of the people who doesn't think he needs a certificate to be qualified to teach. The many students who travel to enjoy his instruction seem to think he is qualified too. However, he was asked if he had ever tried to teach after it became known that he wasn't FFF certified. That's a crock if you ask me. It's also indicative of my personal experience with the FFF program and its "certified" members.
Careful you don't book any instruction with JC or LF. They are no longer part of the FFF program, and if the comments I have heard from "certified" instructors here and elsewhere are true, they no longer know anything about casting or teaching. After all, it takes a certificate to know anything about that!
[This message has been edited by Al Campbell (edited 11 March 2002).]
LF,
I apologize if I caused you to repost old information. I would still like to suggest that the FFF can not be criticized if a Certified Casting Instructor is not the most gifted instructor around. Do you fault the DMV for issuing a driver's license to people who should not be driving? Umm.. Don't answer that. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif Point is a certification is just that, a piece of paper. I already received about 15 minutes of casting instruction from JC at the PA fish-in a few years ago, thanks to him I at least know how to double haul. I do recognize that it is my fault I'm not better at it. I suppose there is something to be said for being a good student too.
Al,
Regarding your experience with the less than pleasant individuals I'm sure that you are intelligent enough to recognize that you dealt with individuals, not "The FFF" (Al, I have the utmost respect for you and I am definitely not calling into question your intelligence). The fact that they were/are FFF members has no real indication of what the FFF is all about. I would even venture to say that if the president of the FFF was one of the people trying to prevent you from conducting classes it would still not be a reflection of the ideals of the FFF itself. I think I need go no further than President Clinton to make my point there. Regarding the legal ramifications of you offering free classes, I have heard of more absurd charges being held up in court. I'm not saying I agree with it, but it could happen.
Lastly, I am a member of the FFF and I know 120 other members. Some of them are real jerks, but they were jerks well before they were members of the FFF. Most of them are great people and they were most likely great people before becoming members of the FFF. All I'm asking is that we don't let the personalities or personal agendas of a few tarnish the rest of the group who has good intentions. Heck, I even know a few pretty OK bait fisherman.
Mskoz
My point was and is the attitude shown by so many FFF certified instructors. There are certainly good people in the FFF, I know many. However, I didn't see any sign in the Bulletin Board saying this was a recruiting post for the FFF, but I sat by quietly as people pushed that issue. I had no intention to say anything at all, especially considering all the crap I have had to endure in the past from a few "certified" instructors. However, when the familiar attitude that suggested that Paul (or anyone else not in that program) couldn't possibly know how to teach because he wasn't a member of that elite group surfaced, I had seen enough.
The FFF is a group of people or club of sorts. They had good desires when they formed, and many share those desires even today. However, there seems to be a theme running through the certified casting instructor program that suggests than anyone who isn't a part of that program can't possibly know how to teach casting, or at least does so in some sub-par fashion. This string isn't the first time I have seen the comments about people not in the program not being able to teach. It's a mode of thinking that seems to be part of the whole organization.
What if TU or even FAOL started their own program to certify casting instructors? Would that make it right to suggest that anyone not involved with or certified by their program wasn't qualified to teach fly casting? Of course not. So why do members of the FFF program think it's ok to act that way toward others who aren't involved in their club program?
It's nice to have a certificate to show off and to support your claims to casting excellence. If that is what you want to do, go for it. It certainly is an achievement to be certified by a club with as many members as the FFF has. I also understand that the testing process is better now than it was at one time. However, that doesn't mean that anyone not certified by that one club is incapable of teaching or that it would be illegal to let them teach your youth program.
There is no legal basis to the idea that only FFF Certified Casting Instructors are able to teach. There is no legal basis to the idea that they should be the only ones allowed to teach. That idea comes from certain members of that program and is force-fed to anyone they can feed. Since that idea is so rampant, it suggests that the motivation comes from the top and is part of the program.
The FFF is a club. It started with great ideals and most of its members still share those ideals. I have been a member of that club in the past. However, it is just a club, and that doesn't give it sole ownership of casting technique or instructor qualifications.
Thank goodness the FFF doesn't have a certified fly tying instructor program. I would hate to see my fly tying series removed because I wasn't "certified" by their club. Don't say it isn't the same. It is exactly the same.
I will sit quietly and read more FFF propaganda in the future without a sound until someone starts suggesting that if you aren't a member of the FFF elite casting instructor program you can't or don't know how to teach, or aren't qualified to teach. That mode of operation verges on racketeering and isn't a good view of a club that started with such good ideals.
I don't feel that all instructors in the FFF program are bad. In fact, I know several who freely help youth programs without charge. I envy those of you in Texas who have some great programs for the community and youth without the money issues that are so common in other areas. I certainly don't think the FFF is a bad club.
However, I get upset anytime there is a suggestion that the FFF is the only club that is involved with fly fishing or that they are the only ones entitled to teach or instruct. Brag all you want about your certification and what you have done, but if you throw a stone at someone because he/she isn't part of your program, you have stepped over the line of common decency.
As far as the racketeers who have tried to force their way on me and others in this area are concerned, they don't shine a bright light on their club or its members. Too bad the FFF doesn't have a method of policing those guys. It sure would help the image of the club. A slight change in attitude of some club members when it concerns those who don't desire to be part of their club or its programs would also help improve the image FFF portrays to people who aren't part of the club.
Just my thoughts, take them or leave them.
Al, Ladyfisher and others that have made a post on this thread. I have guided for over 36 years, somewere between 95 and 130 days a year. I have also done a number of casting shows across the country. I have tought hunderds of people to cast. Am I certified "NO" why? Because I thought that it was something that the FFF did to make money. I checked into it and some of the people that were "certified" wanted $200.00 dollors to give me my certification. Why would I want to pay someone that kind of money when I could cast rings around some of those people? It did not make sence then and it does not now. I already have A.C.A. regeistered Accuracy Flies from many years ago. As has been stated before a certification is only worth the paper that it is written on. After over 4,300 days of guiding and teaching people how to fish and cast does not make me qualified to the FFF's standards then so be it. I will still try and help anyone that needs help as thats my nature. My 2 Bit's Ron
Flies, Fishing and friends.
Hi mskoz, RW here.
Heck msk, I know more than "a few" pretty o.k. bait fisherman, I know " a lot" of pretty o.k. bait fisherman. In fact, I know a lot of pretty o.k. people who don't fly fish.....or even fish for that matter. But let's not go there. Let's keep it in our own ranks. Otherwise we just add to the "illusion", among the other 90 percent of anglers, that we are more special than we really are.
RW
---------------------------------------------------------
"Luck is always on the side of the fisherman with the right fly."
OK there are obviously some aspects of the FFF that some disagree with.....The certification of casting instructors f'rinstance..BG.....barring that....is it a worthwhile organization?
In otherwords what benefits exist for me if I choose to join...Why should I give them money? I have been to thier website and see thay are involved in all sorts of promotion of the sport and in teaching youhger people to get involved with it....
A local group of fisherman used to be affiliated with TU...there was a dispute amongst the "upper echelon" of the two groups, let's say a disagreement, so thier mutually beneficial affiliation stopped.....I think conservation groups in the "spirit" of TU can be good...but the FFF does not seem to be a conservation group...They appear to be a sort of clearing house for industry people???
Again I'm not knocking a group that tries to teach people how to tie or cast or anything like that....If companies want to donate equipment to FFF and then FFF distributes that to local chapters that offer free fly tieing classes f'rinstance that's just great as far as I am concerned... I am just wondering what good it is to give them my money and to become a member....
I chose not to join a professional group several years ago because to me it just seemed to be someone else trying to part me with some of my hard earned....By definition I am a professional of that group I did'nt think it necessary to join the "professional" organization to somehow procve that i was....This sounds similar to the problems experienced by good casting instructors and the certification "badge" that FFF is distributing....
I give money to Ducks Unltd, Delta and the Nature Conservancy...I used to give money to TU, i don't anymore, i might in the future....I'm just wondering if FFF deserves any of my money....BTW I belong to a local group of fisherman...it's mostly social but we do a few things around the town like take kids fishing and teach people to cast and tie....This is local only though....
Your thoughts..???
It may be beneficial to you. If you join, you'll get their magazine with articles by people like Jason Borger and Macauley Lord.
There are good aspects of that club and bad. You will reap the most benefits if you can participate in some of their activities, but that too will cost you most of the time. If you are involved in the business end of fly fishing, you might find yourself in a position you don't want to be in as I have at the hands of several local (certified) members, but then again, I doubt the club is full of those types. I also think the problem around here is magnified by the fact that there are very few chapters in our area, so there is less opportunity for those guys to spread themselves around (and make money), so they resort to trying to create opportunities.
As you can tell, I have some issues with a part of the club's activities, or should I say, a certain attitude in a part of the club, but that is my problem and shouldn't kill your desires to check them out. If you don't like it, you only have to stay a year.
A post on another board reminded me of a good reason for FFF casting instructor?s certification, some 'instructors' don't know squat about casting and, sadly enough, don't KNOW that they don't know!
Case in point... I met a person this year who was trying for his FFF certification. On his card it said guiding, casting instruction and so forth. When he tested every single one of his back casts smacked the ground. Really! Every single cast! His loop control was good as long as it was open loops being asked for! That is all he knew how to throw!
The point I'm trying to make is that it is good that at least some sort of standard has to be met in order to become a certified instructor.
JC & LF things are not quite what we intended are they.
Rich
LadyFisher is correct about her statement on TU. I am a Member of TU, and although only for a short time, We have stocked the local waters twice now (Once with yearlings, the second time with 2 year olds, or Breeders) as we also have contacts with the local group who does water testing as well as will work with him in problem areas we find after testing, etc. I enjoy TU myself, but that's not to say anything is wrong with FFF.
I use to belong to TU but got tired of watching those with money trying to use the group for their benefit, tired of listening to people with great ideas wanting someone else to do all the work for them so they could get the credit, tired of watching the power struggle and just tired of all the talk and no action. Maybe the group was too small, I don't know. Now I only belong to one great group called "FAOL" and I only wish I could meet if not all the members at least some of them. The only good thing that I see that has come out of this thread is "I saw posting from Al Campbell"!! It is so good to see him posting again! I have really missed him!
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Warren
Imagine how PETA and the rest of the "bambi's" must be drooling to see TU and FFF *****in' at each other!!!
Donald
Donald sometime go to the FFF site listing the clubs and you will see TU clubs listed--they do get along!!!
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Bill
Thanks Bob for pointing out that the postings from Al were from past postings and not from today. I sure was disappointed. I miss Al's postings and miss him. My mistake. Sorry.
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Warren
Cap,
What is the FFF? Well, you and I both know they are a group of people you would spend a good deal of your time arguing with if you had more knowledge about them!
-Bill