Professional Fly Fishing and Fly Dressing Instructors

Welcome to and thank you for visiting the website of AAPGAI – the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors.

The Association was formed in 2003 to enhance the practise and enjoyment of fly fishing and fly dressing by anglers of all ages and ability levels. We achieve this through providing a high standard of tuition in single handed, double handed and fly tying techniques; plus the mentoring and assessment of potential new instructors. AAPGAI is now an international organisation of over a hundred full members (male and female), the majority of whom are located in the United Kingdom. We also have representatives in the Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia and the USA.

AAPGAI instructors are highly-experienced game anglers, many of whom have fished all over the world in pursuit of a wide variety of fish species. All have undergone extensive preparation with and rigorous examination by the Association, in order to be certified as qualified, current and competent in the organisational, health and safety, casting and fishing (or fly dressing), and teaching skills required by AAPGAI. They are also fully insured, First Aid qualified and trained in up-to-date risk assessment and child protection procedures. Our assessors also hold recognised Assessment of Competence in the Work Environment (ACWE) qualifications, as part of the Association’s commitment to professionalism and fairness in the training and examination of those who wish to join us.

In addition to their own individual tuition and guiding activities, AAPGAI members also teach, demonstrate and speak at a number of UK game fairs, country shows, environmental conservation meetings and local angling association events. They also appear at many fly fishing-specific events worldwide. Some are full time instructors and guides, whilst others offer their services alongside working in a wide variety of other jobs and professions.

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Our Commitment

AAPGAI is committed to the continued professional development of its members in order to provide the very best levels of tuition and guiding. Our assessment weekends and open days provide invaluable opportunities for instructors, examiners and representatives of other relevant organisations to meet and share ‘good practice’, in addition to assessing (and hopefully passing!) instructor candidates and welcoming members of the public for fully-equipped and catered teaching on water, grass and (for fly tying) indoors.

These events also include committee meetings and AGMs (in which members discuss, formulate and refine Association policies), plus the eagerly-anticipated gala dinner evening and charity auction! Here successful candidates receive their well-deserved certificates, caps and ties, and money is raised for the AAPGAI Benevolent Fund through the generous donation of and bidding for equipment, clothing, fishing opportunities and display items.

Above all, the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors is committed to maximising the experience of fly fishing and fly dressing by providing professional, safe, bespoke and friendly tuition and guiding. Whether you are a returning AAPGAI client, or are finding out about us for the first time, we hope you enjoy the website and that it helps you achieve your goals – whatever they may be.

Give us a call or drop us a line and book a session or two with an instructor near you. We are confident that you will benefit from this and go away feeling able to approach your time on still, running or salt water, or behind the fly dressing vice, with greater ability, confidence and enjoyment. We look forward to hearing from and working with you. From all of us at AAPGAI - tight lines!

Latest Articles
by AAPGAI Members

The Key to a Good Grip

Clark Colman

The first way we engage with a fly rod is by holding it, so I like to teach grips first before moving on to stances and the different movements of the rod throughout the cast. Some grips are, of course, more suited to particular casting requirements than others, and I usually go through the different...

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An Introduction to Casting

Clive Mitchelhill

For those of you, who I have not yet had the good fortune to meet, my name is Clive Mitchelhill and I am a fully qualified, full time game angling Instructor living in Cumbria (UK), specialising in fly casting and fly fishing techniques. I mention both, because in my opinion they really are two separate...

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Making Fly Tying Wax

Paul Little

Tying wax is not a dubbing wax; it is used for its adhesive properties only. However one can use it for touch dubbing or misting the fur onto a waxed thread. Equipment required: Stainless Steel Pan. Silicone tartlet/ice cube tray; not too large a diameter Digital weighing scales. Ingredients required: Rosin Beeswax, as light in...

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