Teaching question

[jmccall]

I am one of the instructors for UFTRI,usually teaching the beginner salt water classes. There is one thing I have never found an effective method to teach, and that is the concept of sparse. I am hoping someone can offer suggestions that have worked for them. I think this is the single most important concept for a beginner to learn, but nothing I have tried works. Thanks again for any suggestions

[Captcastafly]

Looking at the finish fly (as a sample) is sometime ambiguous for a new fly tier. Many materials layered together will change the image and density of the fly pattern when complete.

Sparse is a relative term and that’s the main problem. Like a pinch of salt, dash of pepper, or a handful of flour it really has no finite meaning but to the person creating the fly or recipe. It is really portion control and everyone has their idea on how much is too much. Just like I use to tell my mother that I had only one sandwich for lunch, but it was the size of whole Italian bread.

What might work John is a sample size taped or tied together to illustrate the exact amount.

Use a common shape helps too. Many tiers will say the size of a certain object like a 10 penny nail or pencil as a few examples. What might work is a jig teaching others. Perhaps a small tube or straw cut lengthwise would be a good jig to pack the right amount of materials.

You can always be anal and have them count the hairs or fibers.

It’s great John that you volunteer your help and expertise at every meeting like so many others. That’s good stuff.


I know this sounds funny and non factual, but heavier people have less problem tying sparse, while skinny people tend to apply more material.

[RogerStg]

I know this sounds funny and non factual, but heavier people have less problem tying sparse, while skinny people tend to apply more material.

That explains why my flies are getting sparser and sparser. If this keeps up I'll be tying bare hooks. :eek:

[lemaymiami]

It's been some years since I taught fly tying in formal classes (early 80's) and the problem you've cited is just one of many that I worked with. What I finally came up with was to set out the various materials we'd be using for a specific pattern (after choosing each pattern to showcase a particular technique or style of tying), then describing why one type of material instead of another, then actually tying the pattern as a demo with everyone gathered around, then finally having my students tie the pattern on their own (with a little over the shoulder individual coaching for each effort) a step at a time so that everyone could see the other's efforts. It worked out pretty well and I'd probably still be teaching fly tying if I had the time.... there's a lot of satisfaction watching anglers learning new skills.

In short, telling someone to tie a sparse amount of material at one point or another is nothing like showing them...

[Smcdermott]

John,

I attended a few UFTRI sessions when they were in EG. One issue I noticed was the rectangle tables made it difficult to see the instructor unless he was sitting in the middle of the table. I agree with Bob in that showing is the only real way to illustrate the desired effect. I also think its very important to walk through the finished product ahead of time and lay out the complete set of steps that will follow so that the tier has an idea of whats to come.

Sean