Firstly, they must have police clearance to work with children and vulnerable adults and have undergone a child protection course as well as a current First Aid Certificate.

They should be able to conduct a Health and Safety check of the area of a lesson or teaching area and make out a Risk Assessment document detailing any potential hazard, risk percentage, coupled with measures to minimise any risk.

Be aware of all classes of fishing rods and their uses. Understand how fly rods are made, rod parts, cork handle types, reel seats, eyes including spacings, rod lengths, AFTM ratings and rod actions and how they relate to different anglers.

Have extensive knowledge of fly lines, tapers and what they add to the cast (or subtract in some cases).

Good understanding of fly reels from centre pin to large arbour, know the differing drag systems and how the arbour effects the drag.

Should have a good knowledge of entomology from an angler’s perspective, have an idea of a season’s expected fly hatches. Be aware of other food items such as fry, sand eels, smaller fish.

Be aware of learning styles of adults (andragogy) and children’s learning styles (pedagogy).

Fly Casting mechanics are particularly important – a good Instructor should know the different casting styles and their pros, and cons. They should be aware of every stage through which a rod, line and loop progress during the execution of a cast. They should be aware of how the rod tip influences the cast and all casting errors. Know how to correct those errors.

Be able to perform any cast on the syllabus to a high standard and demonstrate the errors associated with the cast.

Understand when to advise a client to become a budding instructor or teach them to improve upon what they already have achieved.

Tactics and watercraft are for guides to teach, but it’s good to know them.

Finally, they should be able to advise on the suitability of equipment to a client’s needs and they should be able to deliver a PowerPoint presentation or talk for 20 minutes on any of the above pointers to an angling group or club.

Joe Stitt
APGAl Ireland