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| FAQ´s
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questions frequently asked we want to answer on this page
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01. What is the EFFA?
02. Why did the EFFA leave the FFF?
03. Will the EFFA keep any ties with the FFF/USA?
04. The EFFA offers an international exam for
flyfishing instructors. What is the purpose of such an exam?
05. Where can I I find your list of instructors?
06. Is it necessary to be a member of EFFA to
participate in an examination?
07. Exactly how is the examination structured?
08. How many examiners must be present to conduct
an exam?
09. Are examinations only held at flyfishing
trade fairs and conventions?
10. Why, then, are exams so frequently held
in public?
11. Doesn't the instructors' examination mainly
test casting skills?
12. What happens if I don't get one of the casts
right?
13. How many times can I take the examination?
14. Must I perform a certain style of cast to
pass the examination?
15. How do I find out if examinations are coming
up?
16. How do I register for the exam?
17. How can I prepare for the exam?
18. Are there any preparatory workshops for
examinations?
19. What is the difference between a basic and
a master instructor?
20. How can I become an examiner?
21. What is a Master h.c.?
22. Can I skip the basic examination
and take the master instructor examination directly?
23. How can I become an EFFA
member ?
24. How can a club or a country
become an affiliate of the EFFA?
25.
Will the EFFA recognize external instructors' examinations,
other than their own?
26. How can APGAI or FFF instructors obtain
an EFFA certificate? |
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1. What is the EFFA?
The
EFFA (European Fly Fishing Association) is an organisation
of flyfishers in Europe who are aiming to improve the instruction
of flyfishing, to promote flyfishing, and to further all aspects
of flyfishing, up to and including the environmental protection
of our waters. At the moment EFFA has got members in 13 European
countries.
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2. Why
was FFF-Europe dissolved and EFFA founded?
Early
in 2006, the FFF attempted to force their affiliated European
partner, FFF-Europe - which was until then independent - to
exclusively apply the American standards of flycasting instruction
(which are not up to the same standards as the instruction
offered in Europe) in their instructors' tests, and to submit
all revenue from examinations and membership fees to the American
FFF, stating that any failure to comply with these requests
would invariably lead to expulsion and subsequent denial of
rights to any future use of the name, the logo, or make any
reference whatsoever to the FFF. Since the former FFF-Europe
members felt that they neither need nor want supervision from
across the Atlantic, and that European funds should remain
in Europe , they decided to form a new, independent, and strictly
European Organization - the EFFA . Europe has a long tradition
of flyfishing, and wishes to remain independent in its endeavour
to continue that tradition.
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3. Will the EFFA keep any ties with the FFF/USA?
No,
because the EFFA is an independent European organization of
flyfishers. Of course, EFFA is open to cooperation with any
similarly-oriented organizations in Europe and overseas, as
far as exchange of information, protection of the environment
and particularly our waters are concerned.
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4. The EFFA offers an international exam
for flyfishing instructors. What is the purpose of such an
exam?
Originally, amateur
flyfishers faced a plethora of flyfishing schools and instructors
- at sometimes considerable prices - and asked for flyfishing
credentials to be sure that they were selecting the proper
instructor. Other instructors at the time, such as surfing,
sailing or skiing instructors, all needed diplomas to teach
- but not flyfishing instructors! So, renowned European flyfishing
instructors worked together to give beginning flyfishers a
guideline to select the correct instructor for them. |
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5. Where can I find your list of instructors?
In any popular flyfishing magazine
or by clicking on the link on this website underneath "Instructors".
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6. Is it necessary to be a member of EFFA
to participate in an examination?
No,
but if you pass, you have to join EFFA if you want to be listed
on the EFFA instructor list, get the instructor benefits and
use EFFA 's labels and trademarks. |
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7. Exactly how is the examination structured?
The
examination consists of two components: practical and oral.
The oral examination tests the applicant's knowledge of both
flyfishing and teaching. The oral exam is very important because
it is the only way to check the theoretical knowledge of the
candidate. EFFA does not allow multiple choice tests because
they can be learned by heart and do not tell an examiner if
the candidate really understands everything what is needed
to teach. The practical exam has two parts, too - casting
the required distances and practical teaching. Success in
both the practical and the theory parts is necessary to pass.
EFFA examination rules
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8. How many examiners must be present to
conduct an exam?
The
minimum requirement for an instructor's examination is two
examiners, each coming from two different countries. A master
instructor's examination requires a minimum of three examiners
from a minimum of two different countries. This is done to
make sure that the standards remain the same all over Europe
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9. Are examinations only held at flyfishing
trade fairs and conventions?
No,
examinations may also be held on others occasions which are
completely unconnected to shows, for example at our annual
instructors' meeting or special EFFA testing weekends. Basic
exams may be organized anywhere on "neutral" ground,
i.e. not at companies' sales events, provided that the minimum
required number of examiners is present and the exam is open
for any visitor who wants to show up. |
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10. Why, then, are exams so frequently held
in public?
The
EFFA tries to provide candidates as many opportunities as
possible to take their exams. This means that the examiners
have to travel, and incur costs, which, in the end, will be
paid by the candidates. So, if the exam is held at an
event where a certain number of examiners are already present,
costs are significantly reduced. This way, a candidate can
choose where he wishes to take the exam. N.B.: upon becoming
an instructor, the candidate will have to perform in public
anyway. |
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11. Doesn't the instructors' examination
mainly test casting skills?
No, not at all! The
required distances and casting demands have been selected
to show if the candidate masters all the elements of casting
in practice, too. For practical reasons, the casting part
of the exam is at the beginning, because only those who pass
the casting part may proceed to the theory exam. This may
give the (false) impression that the practical part is more
important. Practical casting, however, only makes up about
10% of the time each candidate spends taking the examination,
whereas 90% of the time for each candidate is spent on testing
knowledge of theory and teaching methods.
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12. What happens if I don't get one of the
casts right?
If a candidate fails
to reach the required distance on just one of their mandatory
casts in each of the two parts, examiners may allow a further
attempt after all candidates have finished. If the candidate
can show a positive result this time, he is permitted to continue
to the theory test. If he was not successful, the candidate
must repeat the test again on a separate occasion. EFFA examination
rules |
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13. How many times can I take the examination?
A
basic candidate may try twice within the same calendar year.
A master instructor examination requires the candidate to
have an EFFA or APGAI instructors' exam at least twelve months
before taking the master instructor exam. If he fails he has
to wait a full year(365 days) until he can try again. |
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14. Must I perform a certain style of cast
to pass the examination?
No,
the particular style of flycasting is unimportant. The casting
must simply be correct from a biomechanical point of view,
and it must permit the instructor to teach quickly and successfully.
EFFA examiners are well trained enough to know, and examine,
all casting styles. |
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15. How do I find out if examinations are
coming up?
Take
a look at our schedule on our homepage! Some flyfishing magazines
contain information on EFFA examinations, too.
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16. How do I register for the exam?
You'll
find both our registration form and the relevant information
by clicking on our link
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17. How can I prepare for the exam?
Read
and copy any information materials from this website,
and then practice, practice, practice! It is extremely important
to be well prepared! |
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18. Are there any preparatory workshops for
examinations?
Several
members of our flycasting board offer specific preparatory
classes. You could also contact other EFFA instructors. With
some luck you might be able to find a way of participating
in workshops or a preparatory weekend training courses.
Preparation courses |
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19. What is the difference between a basic
and a master instructor?
An
EFFA -standard Basic Instructor is trained to teach our sport
to beginner flyfishers; the necessary casts and teaching skills
are mastered, enabling future students of this instructor
to successfully apply basic flyfishing techniques. Master
Instructors are instructors demonstrating a very high level
of casting and exceptional teaching skills. They are able
to train instructors and prepare candidates for the
examination. "Master Instructor" is the highest
qualification obtainable within the EFFA . |
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20.
How can one become an examiner?
First
of all it is necessary to be a master instructor and a member
of the Advisory Board of the Flycasting Department. If a master
instructor was present at a lot of exams and has shown enough
interest (by helping with the tests or even organizing one)
in the exams he can be elected by the Flycasting Department
an assistant examiner and later as an examiner. The EFFA flycasting
department consists of many of Europe 's top flycasting instructors.
They all are examiners for both basic and master exams. |
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21. What is a Master h.c. ?
The
Flycasting Board may grant honorary EFFA master degrees, provided
that the recipient is over 60 years old, have considerable
skills in flycasting/flyfishing and a good international reputation.
This requires a clear board decision.No, you have to
either have passed the basic instructor exam or be an APGAI
instructor. |
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22.
Can I skip the basic examination and take the master instructor
examination directly?
No,
you have to either have passed the basic instructor exam or
be an APGAI/FFF instructor. |
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23. How can I become an EFFA member?
Please
continue reading here. |
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24. How
can a club or a country become an affiliate of the EFFA ?
A
club or organisation applies for affiliation membership by
sending an e-mail to the official EFFA address. If the aims
of the organisations correspond and the Executive Department
cannot find any reason for a refusal an Affiliation Agreement
can be signed. |
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25. Will
the EFFA recognize external instructors' examinations, other
than their own?
Some
instructors advertise with the title "FFF instructor".
These FFF instructors have taken the examinations to the American
standards, which is not up to European level. Therefore EFFA
does not accept the FFF exam for Europe but regards it as
appropriate for the US by all means. EFFA instructors have
passed an examination which is internationally recognized
as being the most challenging of its kind. This applies particularly
to casting skills. Teaching methodology, however, may be quite
similar to those offered in different programmes except that
in Europe there are much more different casting styles. |
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26. How can APGAI or FFF instructors
obtain an EFFA certificate?
APGAI
and FFF instructors need only pass the casting part of the
examination. Their teaching skills are certified already -
we acknowledge that. APGAI or FFF instructors are also
eligible to register directly for the Master Instructor examination.
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I have further questions!
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© by EUROPEAN FLY FISHING ASSOCIATION 2006