My first attempt at the Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) test was in 2014 during the mini Sabah Borneo International Fly Fishing Fair held in the beautiful mountain venue at the northern tip of Borneo island, and failed.
I did not pass although I practiced often and was confident before the test. Maybe over-confident, and became nervous as I stood on the field as the test was about to start.
Very disappointed I was, after all the effort and time invested. On hindsight, I performed badly and did not deserve a pass.
Related: FFI Casting Instructor Certification Program
My examiners were Tomonori Higashi and Yusaku Tsutsui, both Master Casting Instructors (MCI) from Japan, with reputations of having high standards.
My second attempt at being a CCI was in May 2017 at the Indonesia International Fly Fishing Show held atop the mountains at Lembang in Bandung, Java. I remember being much more nervous this time, and I passed.
It’s All About Learning And Improving
Going through the CCI process has enable me to gain a lot of knowledge about fly casting. The principle is simple, the better you cast, the more fish you’ll catch.
Going through the learning process has enabled me to teach others with more confidence. From teaching beginners to get them hooked on fly fishing, to helping fly fishing clients during guided trips.
Importantly, the whole process quickened my learning progression and improving my skills sooner which otherwise I undoubtedly will still gain over time, albeit over a longer time.
Never Say Never
The MCI test will be during the 2018 Malaysia International Fly Fishing Fair to be held from 31st October to 4th November 2018.
The event will be organised by the Fly fishing Association of Selangor (FFAS) of which I’m the current Asst. Secretary and also part of the organising committee for the event.
The last major event we had was way back during the 2012 International Fly Fishing Fair held at the National Botanical Garden in Shah Alam in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur.
Related: Post Event Report – The International Fly Fishing Festival 2012
The test will be exactly 18 months after my last test. Some are saying it’s too soon. Too early. I need more time. That the MCI test is very tough.
They are right about the MCI test being tough, and they could be right about it being too soon. But I want to start the learning process. Why wait? So what if I fail, again. You fail, you learn, you try again… often that what life is about.
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