Ms. Char Bloom, AFFP named Education and Certification Coordinator
Char Bloom is an Orvis-endorsed fly fishing guide from Keystone, Colorado. Prior to becoming a Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioner with the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute, Ms. Bloom attended the Joan Wulff Fly Fishing School, the Joan Wulff Fly Casting Instructor School, the Orvis Guide School, and the Hyde Boats Rowing Academy. She serves on the Hyde Boats Pro Staff, and participated in a national tour with Hyde in her famous Hyde drift boat, Petunia! Char retired several years ago from a decades-long career as one Colorado's most successful ski instructors. She serves on several non-profit boards and is the Director of Operations for the Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime Foundation. Char is well-known throughout Colorado as an organizer and instructor of women's fly fishing events, schools, and retreats; and is a strong advocate of conservation, women in outdoor recreation, and the disabled.
"We're just lucky to have Char at the helm of our education and certification efforts," said AFFI President Ken Morrow.
New Names for Certifications
We've changed the names of a couple of our certifications to clear up a bit of confusion we created. The Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Instructor (AFFI) is now the Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioner. And the Basic Casting Instructor is now the Adaptive Casting Instructor.
Hope that clears things up a bit...after the confusion we just caused by changing things settles down.
SFC Diane Cochran (Ret) Joins AFFI, Inc. Board of Directors
Diane Cochran retired from the Army after severe injuries sustained in Afghanistan ended her career as a combat medic. During her rehabilitation at Walter Reed, Diane took up fly tying and fly fishing as recreational therapy to speed her recovery.
"That's how I met Diane, " explains AFFI President Ken Morrow.
"After her retirement, Diane transitioned from patient to teacher, advocate, and leader. Joining the AFFI board of directors is just a natural evolution - the next logical step in Diane's rehabilitation...much as all of this is for me. We're very excited about Diane joining us."