Instruction
If you are based in Ireland I can recommend that you join the original GAIA organisation that now has a helpful, growing community of Fly-Casters in the Republic of Ireland. The original organisation only having a branch operating in the Republic of Ireland since 2008. I do not recommend any other casting organisation in Ireland.
One should not ever make the mistake of presuming that someone with an Instructor's certificate is automatically a better teacher or caster than someone who doesn't have one. This does not necessarily follow and long experience and understanding from that experience is often what matters most.
Some of the finest casters in the world don’t belong to any Fly-casting organisations and haven’t taken any qualifications. Some of the best casters I have ever seen, along with some of the best formal Instruction I have ever received in both single and double-handed rod casting, was from people who did not belong to any Instructor's organisation. Their information was related with great insight and understanding of fly-casting, Long experience of large river salmon fly angling certainly counts for a lot in double-handed casting. They all had a system of teaching using key exercises and I use some of their systems for my own teaching as they are invaluable.
One can only teach or show what one knows oneself. One can only know what one has been taught or shown by another, or perhaps found out for oneself. Hence formal training in a style or technique from source, or from a known recognised proficient practitioner of the particular style or technique is necessary.
Personally I consider that importing knowledge from the long experience of others is absolutely essential. An essential for either the novice, improver or the Instructor. I have always pursued formal Instruction and still will never hesitate to import information or attend a workshop any time an opportunity arises. I made the essential pilgrimages on several occasions to the hallowed waters of Scotland for Instruction. Fortunately in recent years there have also been some excellent workshops in Ireland from Scottish, American and Welsh Instructors in relation to Instruction. Occasionally from the competition scene in Ireland there has also been opportunities to see and sometimes learn about technique directly from some of the great casters both local and visiting.
That's not to say that one should not obtain certification for teaching, in fact I would recommend that anyone who wants to be an Instructor does take some credible certification as it gives confidence to any potential clients and you will certainly learn a lot during the process, especially from interaction with other Instructors and the examiners. Some of the best formal Instruction I have received has also been from qualified Instructors, in particular U.K. GAIA APGAI Instructors and American FFF Instructors. The information related with the greatest of insight and understanding of fly-casting. Some of those qualified Instructors are also among the best casters I have ever encountered. The system of analysis used by Instructor's organisations such as GAIA and the FFF in defining fly-casting and casting mechanics is invaluable. As well as making the teaching of fly-casting a lot clearer and easier, it also allows interpretation of what's going on to the extent that one may analyse and then define another good caster's style or technique. One may also then adjust ones own casting in the specific key areas of importance to emulate or learn the specific style or technique. It also allows one to fine tune ones own casting to ensure correct technique.
Having certification means that you have attained a certain level of practical and teaching ability. However it is still necessary to keep qualifications in context and realise that some people may considerably surpass that practical level with or without certification. I find that very often those that have received formal training, yet are without certification, are advanced casters, often more so than many qualified instructors.
Fly-casting is a feeling, and it is also fairly straightforward. What needs to be done is fairly simple, some might say mind-blowingly straightforward actually. Perhaps that is relatively easy to say once the understanding of the loop morphology required, and the control needed to create it is in place. The reality is however that there are just so many ways to go wrong. There are so many things are interconnected and interdependent for a cast to work well.
It is much easier to do something when you see it done from practical demonstration, easier when the understanding of what to do is explained and related to you verbally and clearly in conjunction with the practical demonstration. An Instructor teaches a person how to teach themselves. An Instructor shows and explains in a helpful, efficient and friendly manner what exactly is going on and what will allow the novice / improver to do the same as the Instructor. An Instructor should also be able to fine tune your casting even knowing if minor areas need slight adjustment for more perfect technique.
This was really a very proud and special moment for me as I was just after passing both the GAIA organisation's APGAI casting exams, (Salmon, and Trout & Sea Trout), and am pictured here with the examiners Gwilym Hughes (left) and Mark Roberts (right). I was very pleased to be one of the first person to be examined for the APGAI exams at an examination in the Republic of Ireland.
I was also very pleased with the amount of new and very valuable information I learned from these gentlemen about fly-casting technique and teaching in their workshops and during the examinations. An incredibly beneficial experience and an incredibly professional organisation, one which I thoroughly recommend to anyone wishing to be a fly-casting Instructor.
Three new members from R.O.I. reached APGAI level with GAIA during the season and several others successfully took GAIC exams.
I was also very pleased with the amount of new and very valuable information I learned from these gentlemen about fly-casting technique and teaching in their workshops and during the examinations. An incredibly beneficial experience and an incredibly professional organisation, one which I thoroughly recommend to anyone wishing to be a fly-casting Instructor.
Three new members from R.O.I. reached APGAI level with GAIA during the season and several others successfully took GAIC exams.
David Browne was one of the successful GAIA examinees in October.
David passed the G.A.I.C. Trout & Sea Trout Angling exam.
David is very well known as one of the most selfless and helpful people in Irish angling. David has spent many years dedicating his own time and effort to developing Irish youth fly fishing.
David is currently Youth officer with I.T.F.F.A., the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association, and is team Manager of the Irish Youth Fly Fishing Team.
David passed the G.A.I.C. Trout & Sea Trout Angling exam.
David is very well known as one of the most selfless and helpful people in Irish angling. David has spent many years dedicating his own time and effort to developing Irish youth fly fishing.
David is currently Youth officer with I.T.F.F.A., the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Association, and is team Manager of the Irish Youth Fly Fishing Team.
Harry Feeney of Foxford Lodge is the GAIA contact in the Republic of Ireland.
Harry is pictured here with a fine Spring fish he took on the Ridge Pool in Ballina.
Harry works tirelessly to help anyone in any way along the process of becoming a successful examinee for either the GAIC or APGAI examinations. He organises testing events and venues in ROI.
Harry has held the G.A.I.C. Trout & Sea Trout Angling exam for a number of years.
2008 was a year when the GAIA organisation held their GAIC & APGAI examinations in the Republic of Ireland for the first time. This really has been a most welcome and beneficial development for those living here wishing to belong to the original and world renowned APGAI organisation and have the proper and original APGAI qualification.
We have a group Insurance coverage for GAIA members in the Republic of Ireland with worldwide cover through Countryside Alliance Ireland and at incredibly low cost. Worldwide coverage.
There are two levels of examination with GAIA -
The Intermediate level exam. The G.A.I.C. examination - Game Angling Instructors Certificate.
and the A.P.G.A.I. examination - Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructor. The Advanced level exam.
The GAIC exam is taken first a GAIA Instructor needs to hold this exam for at least one year before progressing to the APGAI level.
The contact for GAIA APGAI syllabai and examinations in the
Republic of Ireland is
Harry Feeney
Foxford Lodge
Pontoon Road
Foxford
Co.Mayo.
T: 00353 9492 57777
e mail: harry@thefoxfordlodge.com
My good friend David McArdle practicing for the APGAI Salmon exam on Lough Cullin with honorary GAIA member Sparky who is very keen on casting
Matthew Solon of Co.Clare who recently passed all three GAIA exams at the one event. Well done Matthew.