The Game Angling lnstructors' Association

ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL GAME-ANGLING INSTRUCTOR

APGAI

SYLLABUS for: Category 1. Trout & Sea Trout (single handed fly-rod)

Tests will be carried out in accordance with the conditions and advice set out in the GAIA’s booklet ’Taking Assessment Tests for Award of Qualifications’ (TATAQ) and the schedule of casts, techniques and topics listed below. Two hours will be allotted for your assessment. Bring with you:

• A suitable river rod of your choice, line, leader and tag or wool
• A distance rod of your choice with a matching line, leader and tag or wool.

When casting, a high level of technical excellence achieving accuracy and good distance with fluid performance and flexibility in application should be evident. Identification, demonstration and correction of faults in technique are essential parts of APGAI skills. Throughout your assessment, identify and show safe casting with all techniques, emphasising safe actions and use of personal protection in all situations. Take care at all times to promote awareness and practice of safety issues for anglers and bystanders. Required casts must be demonstrated either right- or left-handed and from the appropriate shoulder, altering techniques for given (although not necessarily existing) conditions or alternative banks of a river. Variations in casting style are fully acceptable providing that casting is effective and can be taught from the style shown. GAIA recommends that you plan much of the time allotted as ‘lessons’ of about twenty minutes each, separated by short breaks (TATAQ paras. 13 to 20). Aim each at a different type of target client (as stated in your presentation notes). You have to decide the content and arrangement of each ‘lesson’ so that your presentation covers this syllabus. Leave at least 45 minutes unscheduled to provide for assessors’ questions and any topic or cast that you choose to show after your planned sessions. At least 21 days before your assessment, submit notes giving a brief summary of your presentation to GAIA. These will document your ability to plan classes, but will also be used by your assessors to help you to present your abilities effectively and to minimise interruptions. Also submit your written course plans. Topics and Casts: casting

• Basic overhead cast and basic roll cast, as for beginners. (Note - as you have covered this in taking your entry qualification, as briefly as you can show and explain the essential tackle features, fundamental casting mechanics and the performance of the basic skills needed for a beginner’s first introduction to using fly rods. Do not take too much time here.)
• Overhead cast: longer casts (unaided), head wind, side winds, following wind, shooting line and changing direction.
• Side casts: including backhand cast and underhand cast.
• Slack Line casts: including wiggle method, parachute cast.
• Curved casts: upstream mend, downstream mend.
• Roll cast: longer casts (unaided), head wind, side winds, following wind, and getting more distance (minimum drag techniques).
• Single Spey: right bank, left bank.
• Double Spey: right bank, left bank
• Snake Roll: right bank, left bank
• Single haul: applied to overhead casts and roll cast.
• Double haul: for line control and for distance with overhead cast, show varying stance and method according to requirements.

Topics and Casts: theoretical topics. You will also be tested or asked questions on other aspects of:

• Dry fly fishing on rivers and still waters
• Wet fly fishing on rivers and still waters
• Nymph fishing on rivers
• Boat fishing on still waters
• Bank fishing on still waters

with specific reference to:-

• choosing a suitable rod, reel and line for each, discussing the actions and merits of different rod lengths, reels, line tapers and leaders.
• essential knots, including Water knot, Grinner, Nail (needle) knot, Blood , Turle, etc. and their uses.
• methods of line retrieve, striking, playing of fish including use of side strain and walking up, landing of fish and the safe and proper handling of fish.
• the life cycle and habitats of brown, rainbow and sea-trout and the stocking merits of the different species.
• the chief groups of insects and other invertebrates of interest to anglers to be found in rivers and still waters.
• basic water safety and recognition of common angling dangers including tetanus and Weil's disease.
• fishing law and etiquette.
• the role of the main organisations within game angling.
• suitable books or reading matter that you would recommend.
• how you would structure a teaching course.