The Game Angling Instructors Association formerly the ‘Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors (A.P.G.A.I) was created in 1967 to establish and maintain standards of excellence in the field of ‘Game Angling Instruction’. Initially this was limited to the fileds of salmon and trout angling, however, since that time fishing, especially fly fishing for sea fish and other species throughout the world.
In 1997 the association changed its name to the ‘Game Angling Instructors Association’ retaining the letters (A.P.G.A.I) as ‘Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructor’.
In 2001 the ‘Game Angling Instructors Association’ extended their membership criteria by inviting the holders of the (S.T.A.N.I.C) ‘Salmon and Trout Association National Instructors Certificate’ and (S.G.A.I.C) ‘Scottish Game Angling Instructor Certificate’ to become full members, this also encompassed qualified members of (R.E.F.F.I.S) ‘Register of Experienced Fly-fishing Instructors, Schools and Guides’
The association ‘G.A.I.A’ now acts as the organising body and trade association for the benefit of its members who include the majority of ‘Game Angling Instructors’ within the British Isles, and some overseas members, who hold a recognised qualification.
Currently there are around four hundred members holding various qualifications in ‘Game Angling’.