Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted April 7, 2008 Root Admin Posted April 7, 2008 Marsha and I decided to stop for the night here in Wagoner, OK on the way back from Glen Rose, TX and a weekend with Al and several other CCI's and his fly casting clinic. First let me say what a fantastic teacher Al is, as well as the other instructors at the event. But Al is the cream of the crop. He uses clear illustrations and language you can understand EXCEPT when he uses 12 official FFF casting terms in a row and then I'm lost. Just kidding. Second- I've been casting a rod since I was in JR High, casting an old glass rod in my front yard of the house on 22nd street in Parsons, KS. Totally self taught, I watched one of Lefty's videos about 8 years ago I think- otherwise I have no other fly casting influences. I'm alittle embarrased to even admit it, seeing the business I'm in and what I promote. But at 50 years old, I found myself in the advanced groups of casters not knowing why I was throwing tight loops. You know what the answer was? It was by accident. Why? I wasn't really doing it right. I knew when I would get tired in casting, my loops fell apart and I'd start getting tangled and knots. The more I tried to correct the problem, the worse it got because I tried to "think" about what I was doing. I needed to KNOW what I was doing before I could THINK about it and correct it- right? The other frustration I've had in trying to teach someone how to cast or correct their casting. Sure I'd do alittle for them. They could catch fish only because on Taney it's relatively easy to do, esp with a fly rod. But I wasn't giving them meaningful, lasting instruction. So I had a whole new part of the world opened up to me yesterday and today and I'm excited to see where it goes. If I persue getting my CCI, and I think I will, I don't want it to be just another knot in the 'ol belt. I've always like to educate people whether it's fishing or anything else. Knowing you're teaching someone the right way is a great thought and seeing them enjoy and grow in it is a joy. Thanks again, Al, for the opportunity and I look forward to working and fishing with you in the future.
Terry Beeson Posted April 7, 2008 Posted April 7, 2008 ...EXCEPT when he uses 12 official FFF casting terms in a row and then I'm lost. Just kidding... No you're not... But you are so right about Al being a great teacher. I've had the pleasure of a couple of lessons and helping him teach kids a couple of times. I absorbed more by osmosis from Al than you get out of a lesson from some folks. Good luck on your CCI pursuit, Phil. I know you will get it... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
John Berry Posted April 8, 2008 Posted April 8, 2008 My wife, Lori, took several lessons from Al during Sowbug and really got a lot out of it. In fact it enthused her to work toward her CCI. She thought Al was a great instructor. John Berry OAF CONTRIBUTOR Fly Fishing For Trout (870)435-2169 http://www.berrybrothersguides.com berrybrothers@infodash.com
Terry Beeson Posted April 9, 2008 Posted April 9, 2008 Certified Casting Instructor... The Federation of Fly Fishers certifies casters to teach fly casting. Sort of like a CPA... Doesn't mean you can't teach if you don't have one, but gives you credentials... TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Project Healing Waters Posted April 13, 2008 Posted April 13, 2008 Al works with Project Healing Waters quite a bit and that's how I know him. He is TIRELESS about fly casting and fly fishing education/outreach. He is the VP of Education of the Southern Council of FFF. And he is pretty much spearheading the adaptive fly casting efforts of the FFF, mostly through Project Healing Waters. It's one thing to teach a healthy person to cast a fly rod. It's entirely something else to teach someone with only one arm or a serious neck/back injury...or someone who is blind. I've worked with Al on these types of issues and he is brilliant. But the thing that impresses me the most about Al Crise is his willingness to give, help, teach, and give some more. http://www.projecthealingwaters.org
Members MofishTX Posted December 22, 2009 Members Posted December 22, 2009 I had the pleasure of working with Al in Glen Rose for several years. (Not flyfishin actual work )Al is a great guy and always willing to help anyone anytime. Just wish I would have gone to one of his class, now that I want to learn more about fly fishing!! Al if you read this keep up the good work buddy.
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted December 22, 2009 Author Root Admin Posted December 22, 2009 If you're on facebook, look Al up. He keeps us all up on his battle with cancer. He's doing much better but the cancer is not gone. You can read about it on his facebook page.
Members MofishTX Posted December 22, 2009 Members Posted December 22, 2009 Thanks for filling me on this!!!
denjac Posted December 22, 2009 Posted December 22, 2009 So I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! Maybe there is hope for me yet. Someday, someones is going to have to teach me the fly rod thing. Just to embarassed to go down and start thrashing the water by myself. Dennis Boothe Joplin Mo. For a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." ~ Winston Churchill ~
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