A fabulous week catching up with fellow AAPGAI’ers at our spring assessment event in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Some harsh and challenging conditions including rain, wind, snow and sleet set upon 9 candidates attempting a variety of Provisional, Advanced and Master assessments.
Our assessments are demanding & challenging at all levels and can be nothing less than well earned. Many were close but sadly not close enough to achieve their first or next improved level. Only 1 candidate passed from 9 participants… many congratulations therefore to Neil Lobban who attained his Salmon Provisional.
Despite the weather there was a tremendous turnout for the Open Day. By way of demonstrations we treat it almost like a celebration of a ‘seasons past’, share things that are new by way of techniques and tackle, also thoughts and teachings that have perhaps moved on for the better across all disciplines… trout, salmon and fly dressing. Following a hearty lunch it’s all 1-2-1 and group instruction for the attendees to either develop some casting capabilities or go deeper for those interested in potentially becoming a future AAPGAI instructor. Thank you to all those attending, your company and feedback was most welcome.
Holding a ‘Double Handed vermin rod’ at the open day I chat to good friend and fellow Vision team member Jim Fearn. AAPGAI sec’ Trevor Hayman slings a line in the foreground.
The rivers are now off limits here so it’s a couple of weeks on stillwaters until our new season gets underway. Here’s looking forward to some pleasant weather soon… may the ‘fly life’ be with you!
