WHAT IS AAPGAI?

The Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (AAPGAI) was formed by a group of dedicated instructors in 2003 whose aim from the outset was to improve game angling instruction standards, and to set and consistently maintain the standards of assessment for all future potential AAPGAI instructors both in the UK and abroad. We believe this has been achieved all be it with some heart ache along the way!

Unfortunately, a popular misconception is still held by many of the general fishing community that being AAPGAI qualified means that AAPGAI instructors are expert casters only. Nothing could be further from the truth. AAPGAI is not just a casting organisation. Qualified AAPGAI instructors, who attain their qualification, are assessed equally on their abilities to teach and communicate all aspects of practical game angling which includes casting and fly tying. The technical standards required in casting to become a qualified AAPGAI instructor are high but this is only part of the skill set which needs to be demonstrated by potential instructors.

Of course a very high standard of casting is required to be demonstrated by every candidate at every stage of the AAPGAI qualification process. Being only able to cast well is not enough, as the successful candidate has to demonstrate to the assessors his abilities to explain and teach the use of each cast and where and when and how they should be used. The candidate must be able to clearly and efficiently instruct and explain the mechanics of any particular cast to a student. Furthermore a good all round knowledge of all aspects of practical game angling is required to become an AAPGAI instructor.

Since its formation AAPGAI has progressively worked to improve the technical content of its syllabi at every level of qualification. The AAPGAI syllabi are now recognised by many as the most comprehensive available. There is a regular on going process that keeps AAPGAI instructors up to date with all the new developments in the world of game angling. AAPGAI qualifications are now recognised, worldwide, as one of the most difficult standards to attain and are coveted by all potential candidates with high aspirations. Any qualification is only as good as the assessors who assess the candidates. With that in mind AAPGAI established from the outset a comprehensive three year assessor training program for all AAPGAI assessors which include an external assessment by an official independent assessor scheme (City & Guilds L20). This ensures all AAPGAI assessments at whatever level, are undertaken by fully trained assessors in a professional manner that ensures every assessment is consistent with the requirements of the syllabus.

To allow for entry into game angling instruction AAPGAI recognised from its inception that all instructors would require insurance to allow them to teach and to improve their teaching skills. To this end a new entry level was formed – the "Provisional" level which although does not grant permanent membership of the Association to successful candidates, it does afford them the necessary insurance as they move up the ladder to become competent instructors.

To qualify for the AAPGAI core qualification the "Advanced" the candidate requires all the teaching and communication skills which allow him/her to overcome the more searching requirements of the "Advanced" syllabus. The casting assessment is lengthy and searching but success in this part of the assessment process is attainable by all candidates with a lot of hard work and good mentoring. The candidate must also demonstrate his/her depth and breadth of fishing knowledge and experience of every aspect of game angling in a written exam paper followed by an interview which can question a range of subjects from conservation, entomology, angling law, fish biology, fishing experience etc. The candidate has also to present a prepared practical thirty minute presentation to an audience on a game angling subject of their choice to demonstrate his/her communication skills. The written paper, presentation and interview along with the casting assessment all need to be passed before the candidate is invited to become a member of the Association. An AAPGAI instructor who has attained the "Advanced" level of qualification has been shown to be a competent fishing instructor with both the required technical skills and the underlying knowledge to ensure that his/her clients get a top class service. This will enable him/her in the future to confidently and efficiently discuss, instruct or give sound advice on any of the recognised forms of game angling to their clients.

All AAPGAI members are encouraged to maintain and improve their skills after attaining the Advanced Certificate, by attending regular Continued Professional Development (CPD) events to ensure that they remain "on top of the game".

As there is more to fly fishing than catching fish, so there is more to game angling instruction than casting!

Being recognised as a great caster or demonstrator does not always mean the caster is a good efficient instructor or even a good angler!

For anyone who is interested in obtaining first class instruction or becoming a qualified game angling instructor it is suggested they contact AAPGAI direct or any AAPGAI instructor for further advice and guidance. Contact details are available elsewhere on this web site.