Metalheads: To Be a Certified Casting Instuctor or Not

Brian Silvey, veteran guide on the Deschutes and casting guru.

In a recent email the question arose "Have you ever thought about getting your Two Handed Casting Instructor certification? At some point I will probably test, not sure when."

Casting advisor, Marty showing a client a spey cast.

I've thought about it over the years and questions such as; "Does this make one a better guide." "Are clients more inclined to go fishing with a guide that is a certified casting instructor by the FFF." "Does it really matter it your certified."

I think there is a place for certified casting instructors and receiving a certification takes time and dedication but does a guide need to be certified to be considered a better guide? When I decided to become a better caster, I took a class from Al Burr, he is an incredible teacher and focuses on the mechanics of a cast, it really helped improve my casting. Becoming a more proficient caster does increase one's odd's in catching a fish.

I also received instruction from some of the best fishing guides in the industry that are not certified such as Brian Silvey, Marty Sheppard and Ed Ward, they gave me casting tips, confidence in fly presentation and knowledge about steelhead fishing. Al teaches the fundamentals and knows the fundamentals of casting better then anyone, Brian, Marty and Ed teach fishing. I've seen Marty teach a beginner spey caster how to Roll Cast and make a Snap-T in less then an hour and the person is fishing and having fun. Do you think Marty will ever get FFF certified, I highly doubt it.

As a guide, when a person hires me to take them fishing then I like to focus on fishing. It's happened many times, you start working on casting mid-way through a run and the angler forgets their fishing, then they get frustrated and the fly presentation goes to hell. Personally, I would prefer to focus on fishing and not casting when guide someone fishing but a casting tip or two at the end or beginning of the run, so one's fly turns over better usually doesn't disrupt the fishing.

So I ask, are you more apt to go on a guided trip with a certified instructor? Does it matter?