Adaptive Fly Fishing Certification Program
The preeminent certification in the adaptive fly fishing and fly tying field, the Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioner (AFFP), consists of a period of personal instruction and sponsorship to take the AFFP exam by one or more AFFPs, the full-day examination process by a separate AFFP who has not been involved in their training, and a continuing education program designed and implemented by the institute.
The AFFP is a professional certification which qualifies and entitles practitioners to teach and test all AFFI, Inc. certification programs, to lead AFFI-sponsored events, and endorses these practitioners as fly casting and fly tying instructors, fly fishing guides, and trip/event leaders with a special emphasis on working with groups and individuals with special needs. All AFFPs are concurrently certified in CPR, First Aid, and Boating or Water Safety.
Prerequisite Training for AFFP's
Candidates for certification as AFFP's must apply for and be accepted to an apprenticeship with an AFFP. During this apprenticeship, the AFFP mentors the candidate throughout the entire training process which covers a wide array of required subjects and skills. The candidate will assist the AFFP in teaching, guiding, and/or recreational therapy activities. And when the AFFP feels that the candidate is ready, he/she can refer their student for the written examination. During this apprenticeship, the following prerequisites for testing must be met: guide licensing (if required) from the home jurisdiction of the candidate, CPR certification, First Aid certification, and completion of a Boater Safety or Water Safety course recognized by state and/or federal governments. The other way to train for the AFFP exam is to take all three of the AFFI seminar certification courses, CPR, First Aid, and the boater safety or water safety course, get the guide license (if necessary), and then take the exam without a sponsoring AFFP.
Certification Testing for AFFP's
At the end of the training and when all prerequisites are met, the candidate takes a standardized written exam covering subjects ranging from the Americans with Disabilities Act and basic adaptive sports theory to fly fishing stream tactics, equipment, history, and terminology. This exam includes a fly tying practical section during which the candidate must tie four flies. The exam also includes a casting instruction performance evaluation. If the evaluators are satisfied with the candidate's abilities, he/she will be certified at that time. All three evaluations must be passed for certification.
Seminar-based Certification Programs
ACI - Adaptive Casting Instructor - Would you like to be more comfortable with your ability to teach newcomers to fly fishing to cast? Want to know you're doing it "the right way" and pick up some tips and techniques from highly experienced, professional, certified fly casting instructors without spending a year preparing for the high-powered casting instructor exams other programs offer? After all, you're just trying to get that guy or gal who just bought their first fly rod from your shop, your son/daughter/grandkids/significant other, the kids from the local school or parks program, or a few disabled vets from the local VA hospital out on the water catching some fish as soon as possible. You're not trying to teach them to beat the world distance casting record. Then this one-day seminar is the casting certification for YOU! Students will also get a basic introduction to adaptive fly casting concepts, equipment, and techniques. (Basic fly casting ability is required)
FTI - Fly Tying Instructor - Yes, now you can become a certified fly tying instructor. AFFI has a strong commitment to the therapeutic value of fly tying. Whether someone is disabled or not, we all understand this concept. But for the disabled, fly tying can be nothing short of a godsend! Therapeutic adaptive fly tying has a history of success in orthopedic rehabilitation with the US military that dates back over half a century! This one-day seminar will take someone with even the most basic tying skill and knowledge base and turn them into a confident and proficient teacher and coach of introductory fly tying. We can't turn you into an expert fly tier in one day, but we can give you the tools and insight you need to introduce others to fly tying and get them started the right way...even if they have significant disabilities. NOTE: Additional costs for materials consumed may be required.
TAG - Therapeutic Adaptive Guide - This new certification is one-of-a-kind. This is a lecture-based seminar designed to give anyone interested in working with people with special needs a solid foundation in the following subjects: an overview of disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act, therapeutic/adaptive sports and recreation theory and safe practices guidelines from the Adaptive Outdoor Safety Council, and special needs trip and event planning. We consider the TAF seminar the minimum standard for training that all therapeutic and adaptive outdoor recreation programs should establish for all of their staff and volunteers. As such, it is ideal for guides, outfitters, resort/lodge staff, fly shops, fishing clubs, parks & recreation departments, recreation therapy programs, social workers, camp staffers, and anyone else who volunteers or works with some sort of outdoor recreation program involving people with special needs.
ACI, FTI, and TAG Seminars are scheduled and contracted on a case-by-case basis. Standard fees are $75 per person plus travel expenses for the instructor. Certification is renewed annually by each individual for $25.
Only Certified Adaptive Fly Fishing Practitioners teach these seminars. You can contact any AFFP you choose from the Directory on this website to arrange for your training. Training is available for groups or indivuals at the discretion of each instructor.
Some scholarships are available for individuals with severely limited means and for charitable organizations who want to provide training for their volunteers. For consideration, have the AFFP contact the President of the institute with your request.