What does that "AFFP" at the end of your name mean?
Literally, it means "adaptive fly fishing practitioner." But what it truly means is that this person has the Adaptive Fly Fishing Institute's full faith and confidence after a rigorous and intimate training and testing program in which they became highly skilled in the fine art of teaching all aspects of fly fishing to people with disabilities.
AFFP training takes the form of an apprenticeship during which candidates study under, teach alongside, and guide trips with their mentoring AFFP. Mentoring, or apprenticeship, is the oldest and most proven educational model in the history of the world. And while it takes time and a lot of effort, it works exceptionally well. That is why we have chosen this training model.
Subject matter covered in the AFFP training and evaluation processes include: Americans with Disabilities Act orientation, disabilities overview, adaptive sports theory, First Aid and CPR, basic water safety, fly casting, fly tying, stream tactics, stillwater fishing tactics, saltwater fly fishing, entomology and aquatic biology, the equipment, terminology, and history of fly fishing, and more. The certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioner, or AFFP, is fully equipped and tested in the fine art of teaching fly fishing. They make fine teachers, coaches, and guides for anyone. It is the most difficult fly fishing instructor certification to attain in the world. But the AFFP signifies that they have also been specially prepared to teach fly fishing and guide fly fishing trips for people with all sorts of disabilities.
The AFFP standards have been developed and are periodically reviewed and updated by an impressive Advisory Board of professionals from the fields of education, healthcare, and fly fishing. About half of the board consists of members who are themselves disabled. All are accomplished fly anglers. And all have considerable experience teaching and/or guiding anglers with disabilities.