Author Topic: George Daniel Resigns (Read 712 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** December 20, 2011, 01:11:26 AM »

George Daniel just resigned as Head Coach of Fly Fishing Team USA Adult. He recently posted this on facebook:

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George Daniel
Dear Fly Fishing Team USA Followers,

Last night I made a tough decision to step down as head coach. I will greatly miss being part of FF Team USA; however, I will continue to support the team members and hope to see great change in 2012. Go Team USA!

In the days leading up to his resignation the former coach and I were consulting on a document to be published shortly which would outline his intentions for developing team and world rosters. George asked me to publish the last revision he was considering before his departure in hopes that it might help steer a stronger Team USA in 2012 and into the future:

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From: Fly Fishing Team USA Coach George Daniel:
Topic: Annual Roster and World Championship Squad Selection Process:

My decision for how team members are selected is based solely on what I believe is in the Team’s best interest. I didn’t sign up for the Head Coach position to go on a fishing trip with friends. My function here is to build on the successes of the past, correct some mistakes, and help the United States establish a quality competitive angling program.

After Slovenia, there will be a clean slate and no one will be guaranteed a position based on how well they performed in a previous World Championship. That is…no more guaranteed spots to those who crack the top 25. Past performances will definitely be taken into consideration but this alone will not automatically earn you a spot. Below is the criterion we will use to pick FF Team USA members and the World Championship squad.

• Competitors will only be allowed to count two qualifiers for each cycle. You are welcome to attend more qualifiers but only your two highest finishes will count toward your point total. This will provide a fair opportunity for everyone wanting to qualify for FF Team USA.
• Your points from Nationals will be added to your two qualifiers.
• There will be no additional multiplier for Nationals. That is, point accumulations will be the same for Nationals as they are for each regional qualifier - your overall placing multiplied by the total number of contestants for that event.
• In review, only two qualifiers and your Nationals performance will count toward your total point accumulation. Events like Regional Mini Comps, America Cup, Oceanias, and the Canadian Nationals will not count towards team selection. Only Team USA Regionals and National.
• The top 15 point getters automatically earn a spot on FF Team USA.
• Top 3 point getters automatically earn a spot for the next World Championship.
• The remaining 2 or 3 spots will be handpicked by Coach Daniel. Depending on funding and logistics we may only take five anglers. In that case, I will only handpick 2 anglers.
• This is a performance incentive program. Perform and you will be rewarded.
• In addition. We are encouraged by the development of regional teams across the U.S. To show support to the many great competitions and organizations that are lifting competitive fly fishing in this country we will choose 1 top Angler from the TroutLegend Individual Leader Board that does not obtain a spot naturally through the Team USA Regional/National system. The TroutLegend FF League tracks all fips-mouche type competitions in North America. (US citizen, 18yr older.)

This is not a perfect system but it is one we can build upon as we move forward. I want Fly Fishing Team USA to truly be America’s Team. In order for that to happen the team needs to be transparent. Anglers should know exactly what it’s going to take to make both the team and traveling squads.
Coach Daniel

Daniel Podobed · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2011, 09:33:33 PM »

Not being familiar with the old forumula outside of what he mentioned in the article, I think the new system sounds like it wants to count quality over quantity. The thing that stands out most is the Trout Legend leaderboard spot for an otherwise non qualifier. Good stuff and I cant wait to get his book in the mail this week.

Mark Ferringer · « **Reply #2 on:** December 20, 2011, 11:47:43 PM »

The book is great, but it can't replace time on the stream with him!

Daniel Podobed · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2011, 11:50:22 PM »

I would love to head out to state college pa this year and take some lessons from him. I think you can arrange that through the TCO shop right?

I actually want lessons from several people this year about euro styles and competitive fly fishing.

Bob Lux · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:44:20 AM »

I got to meet George a few years back when I swung by their State College shop and I thought he was a class act. I spent more time talking to him that day then fishing, but I learned more in the talk then I did fishing that day.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2011, 09:28:35 PM »

Daniel ,

Talk to mark about it , he took the class off george and said ti was well worth the money he paid !!!! shortens the learning curve greatly.

Jason Baker · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2011, 12:24:16 AM »

Speaking to time on the stream with George, I took a class along with my Stonefly teammates by George that truly "flipped some switches in my mind" and learned some small tweaks and techniques that have had a huge impact on my performance. At the America's Cup this year, I took a 2nd and 4th on stream sessions (better than i would have ever expected) by implementing many of George's techniques. These are my best stream sessions at a major comp amongst tough competition. Truly worth the time and every penny. I highly recommend taking a class with George! At the comp level it's the little tweaks that count and George is an excellent instructor.