pcray1231 wrote:
Just a shout out of support for the instructional jam, I thought that was a fine event for newcomers, and highlights the educational slant of the board which is highly commendable.
Like anything, it's bound to grow in attendance if it becomes a yearly thing, and I think it should. And unfortunately, I think with the "one speaker, big group" format outdoors we were already straining the limits, beyond which it loses effectiveness. My vote is that it'd be best to split into small groups not just for the afternoon fishing sessions, but also the morning instructional sessions as well. There's nothing set in stone that only one instructor can teach at a time.
Set it up in a "station" setting, so that some stations are ongoing, like the casting with Old Lefty (if he's willing). And have set times for others.
The small group setting would be more educational, and while maybe less structured, would allow instructors to cater to the skill levels at hand at that time. It'd probably also allow more demonstrations rather than a lecture format.
You could also offer more topics that way. For instance, you could split up "techniques" into dry flies, nymphing, streamers, big water, tight brush, and allow demonstrations of casting, etc. in each.
