1. Introduction
Congratulations on your decision to pursue the Casting Instructor (CI) certification. We appreciate your dedication to achieve the high standards of instruction required by the Casting Instructor Certification Program (CICP) within Fly Fishers International (FFI). Achieving the CI will confirm you are a well-rounded single hand casting instructor with the ability to assist students in a wide range of fly fishing situations. The CI Exam is demanding but rewarding. We hope you find the journey as rewarding as the accomplishment of earning the CI.
The history of the CICP and a video overview can be found here: https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Get-Involved/Casting-Instructor-Certification/Overview
This study guide is intended to help you efficiently prepare for and pass the CI exam. The amount of preparation time required to pass the exam depends on your current casting and teaching abilities, how much you practice, how well you practice, and how much you study casting principles.
As part of your preparation, we strongly advise you work with a mentor. They are invaluable in navigating the many things you need to learn. The FFI website has a worldwide list of Master Casting Instructors (MCIs). Most are willing to help if asked. Long distance mentoring has proven to be effective if you cannot find a mentor near you.
For information about the administration process and fees for certification be sure to visit the FFI website under Become a Certified Instructor.
We recommend you begin with an overview of the entire study guide. It is designed to progressively build a thorough understanding of casting mechanics and teaching methodology. The sequence of tasks in the study guide builds stepwise on casting skills, rather than simply following the order of tasks in the exam. As you work through the study guide, advance only after mastering the previous subject matter. If overwhelmed, take a step back, then proceed and in small steps, one section at a time.
Be sure to download a copy of the current exam dated February 20, 2025. You may choose to use a hardcopy for taking notes or to keep a copy on your mobile device and make notes electronically. Study the exam thoroughly. Every part is important.
Organizing your study materials will help ensure that your preparation process is effective and efficient. Decide on a way to organize your information. This study guide has individual sections that make it easy to organize them in a three-ringed binder. Many prefer using their computer files instead of hardcopy documents, and others use “quiz cards” – 3” x 5” or 4” x 6” index cards with questions on the front and answers on the back. Your organization system should provide easy access to information, allowing you to find information now and in the years to come as you pursue fly casting instruction.
This study guide provides an orderly way in which to prepare and includes many resources for further study. It also includes information that will be covered in the written exam. If you have mastered the material in this guide, you should know the answers to the written exam questions.
It is important that you know the current casting FFI definitions which appear in the CI Exam and are familiar with the Candidate Roadmap found on the FFI website under Resources for CI Certification.