Study resources

The CI exam has two parts: this page covers preparation generally. For the written (paper) exam — what it covers, the study map and Appendix D review questions — see the paper exam page.

Everything here is a study aid, not an exam requirement. The exam itself is assessed strictly against the Casting Instructor Performance Exam evaluation form.

Start with the official material

• CI Study Guide (FFI, final 02.25.25) — the primary preparation document: what the CI exam expects, task by task. If you read one thing, read this.
• Casting Instructor Candidate Roadmap — the path from candidate to certified instructor, including prerequisites and the workshop.
• CI Certification Workshop (FFI) — how the certification workshop runs and what is assessed.
• Fly Casting Education — resources for teaching — FFI’s teaching resources, useful for Part Two.
• FFI Casting Resources — the hub for casting education, terminology and certification.
• The Loop (FFI casting journal, Spring 2025) — instructor-level articles and exam discussion.

On this site

• FFI Fly Casting Definitions (2025 Edition) — the terminology the exam expects you to know, including loop shapes, anchors, D-loops and planes. The exam states that candidates are expected to be familiar with these terms and definitions.
• The Double Haul: timing, line speed and the three faults that kill it — directly relevant to Tasks 14 and 15.
• The exam form itself — the clean 20 February 2025 evaluation form, and the marked-up version showing changes since 1 November 2021.

Casting instruction worth watching

• Orvis Fly Fishing Learning Center — the video lessons the exam tasks map onto closely (loop control, mends, roll casts, accuracy, double haul).
• Basics of the Double Haul (Orvis, Pete Kutzer) — the haul timing Task 14 assesses.
• Mad River Outfitters (YouTube) — long-form casting instruction, useful for fault diagnosis practice (Task 19).
• Fly Cast With Speed — Yes, Always (Troutbitten) — line speed over force, relevant to the loop-control and distance tasks.

How to rehearse the exam

1. Set the course. Tape at 20, 30, 45 ft for accuracy; a 40 ft mark for the loop, line-control and roll-cast tasks; 50 ft and 75 ft for the distance tasks. Measure from your forward foot.
2. Work in task order, scoring yourself P / F / Borderline. Two borderlines equal a fail, so treat a borderline as something to fix.
3. Rehearse out loud. Several tasks require you to announce your intent or explain a concept. Say it while you cast — the exam requires explanations to match the demonstration.
4. Film from behind and from the side. Loop width (≤4 ft, measured 3–4 ft back from the nose), straight fly leg, in-plane loops and no ticking are all visible on video.
5. Practise the three attempts rule. If a task needs a fourth attempt, the fault is usually setup or timing, not effort.
6. For Part Two, teach a real beginner. Use each of the verbal, visual and kinesthetic methods at least once, and rehearse the 6-step method for Task 19.