World Renowned Spey casting champion, Ian Gordon has qualified in his AAPGAI for salmon.
The qualification, awarded by the Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors is one of the highest salmon qualification anglers can achieve.
Hardy & Greys Ltd Consultant, Ian, who is also a qualified STANIC salmon instructor, specialising in the Spey cast, along with teaching basic casting with a double handed rod said;
“Having fly-fished with a double handed rod since the age of 9, I am delighted and thrilled to have taken and passed this AAPGAI in Advanced Salmon exam.
This qualification is a major milestone, in that it is very difficult to attain. The standards within AAPGAI are second to none, with only the very best of people making the grade.
Ultimately it was this high standard which initially drew me to AAPGAI, and I have to say, spending time with a group of people with so much knowledge of all forms of fly-fishing has been a real inspiration.
I very much look forward, through my association with Hardy/Greys and AAPGAI, to helping the next generation of fly-fishers take as much from the sport as I have been fortunate enough to take myself.”
Ian hails from the river Spey in Scotland, having fished since the age of eight and worked as a Ghillie on the Knockando beat [Spey] for 19 years.
Andy Smith, Hardy & Greys Game Academy Manager, said;
“This is great news for Ian. In the Hardy & Greys Game Academy we promote continuous personal development with our members and Ian joins many other Academy members who have passed angling qualifications in the last few months, including newcomer, Mike Smith who passed his APGAI salmon, Stevie Kennedy passed his AAPGAI trout and Sue Sissons who has passed her APGAI trout. This makes Sue the first female member of the Academy to have achieved this highest level of qualification.”
