Instruction & Guiding
Roger Dowsett is a professional game angling instructor and holds the Salmon & Trout Association National Instructor Certificate (STANIC) for trout fishing, and the Game Angling Instructor Certificate (GAIC) for salmon fishing. STANIC was administered by the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), and along with SGAIC which was administered by the Scottish Anglers' National Association (SANA), were until recently recognised as the standard entry qualification to professional game angling instruction in the British Isles. These instruction qualifications have since been superceded by GAIC.
These certificates are awarded to candidates who are able to demonstrate their proficiency to instruct game anglers and prospective game anglers of all ages and abilities. This accreditation ensures a good overall knowledge of the life cycles and behaviour of all salmonids, casting theory and practise, tackle and tactics, entomology, angling safety and angling law.
Roger is a also a licensed angling coach through fishcoach.org the licensing scheme of the Joint Angling Governing Bodies. In addition to having an approved instruction qualification, licensed coaches will also
- have completed the 'Good Practice in Child Protection Awareness' training;
- have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau/Disclosure Scotland;
- hold a valid first aid certificate;
- have adequate third party insurance;
- have provided evidence of professional development;
- have provided evidence of coaching activities.
Fly Fishing Instruction
Casting lessons for individuals or small groups are usually provided on our private stocked lochan, but we can also teach on any of the 'home' waters of TroutQuest. Lessons usually last from 2 to 4 hours, include some free 'fishing time', and can be followed by optional wild brown trout fishing on one of the local lochs or rivers to make a memorable introductory day for novices. For larger groups, where necessary and by prior arrangement, additional qualified instructors can be brought in to assist.
If you wish to arrange a custom short break to learn to fly fish, we would usually recommend at least 3 days to provide a good grounding in the basic skills.
We also run a number of 'Learn to Fly Fish' packaged weekends during the spring and early summer for those wanting to take a short break to learn to fly fish as part of a group.
For all our tuition, we can provide all the fishing tackle required.
Guiding
No matter how experienced you are, nothing can replace 'local knowledge' and we can provide professional guiding and ghillie services on all of the waters that we fish, to optimise your opportunity to catch fish during your visit. We can provide dedicated guiding for individuals or small groups on the River Alness or on any of our local trout lochs on a half day or full-day basis.
If you are a large holiday group staying locally and looking for a fishing day or more, perhaps as part of a mixed itinerary, TroutQuest can offer a range of different fly fishing experiences that will enhance your holiday.
We have previously organised salmon fishing days and complete fishing weeks for a number of large parties on holiday staying at sporting lodges, country house or hotels, where the fishing has been one activity amongst a 'rotation' of sporting activities. We have also provided a salmon fishing day as a pre-wedding activity for guests, and a 'Learn to Fly Fish' day as part of a separate 'stag' weekend.
