I'm not even going to tell you why good flycasting is important.

And if you want to become good at this thing then you're going to need lessons at some point. I'm not talking about beginner's lessons here either, since it really is possible to start flyfishing without lessons (a good example being me actually). If this is you right now, if you've never been flyfishing before and you want to know how to go about it, then you're lucky: check this out.

Of course although you can start flyfishing without lessons, it sure is better to start off with them; that's obvious (and you don't need me to tell you) because when you decide that you really would like to be good at this thing after all, then you're going to have to unlearn all the inevitable bad casting habits that you invented for yourself when you first began. The strange thing is that, although I'm delighted to do it (and at forty quid an hour you'd better believe it), I just don't seem to get much of this complete novice thing. Mind you, I'm not affiliated to any lake – in fact I'm not even near one, I'm hardly ever in the same place twice – or once even, and I'm known for my advanced technical bitch-to-learn stuff.

All good professional flycasting instructors have a qualification. In the UK the top qualification is the AAPGAI certification. AAPGAI stands for Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructor (known as the “dog's bollocks” for short) and it's a genuine honour to be a part of it. There are other certifications in the UK but we won't talk about them. I've extensively talked about the AAPGAI here, on this exciting page.

Curiously enough, I'm also a Master Instructor for the Comisiòn Nacional de Lanzado, which is the Spanish flycasting certification programme. Not many (in fact not any, as it happens) UK instructors can claim this honour. In fact there's me, Mel Krieger (who's American, of course) four Spanish dudes, one Argentinean and Chris (who technically is English – but partly for effect and partly because he lives somewhere else I've omitted mentioning this). The curious thing is that I don't speak a word of Spanish – apart from “tortuga” which means "hot stuff".

I'm also an FFF-Master Instructor in the US. This is something quite recent (August 2003) and I felt it was both important for Sexyloops and me. Being the international flyfishing playboy that I am, I was fully aware that outside of the UK no one has heard of the AAPGAI and so another standard was required. The FFF-Masters sets the standard.

And, just so that you can be really sure that even when I'm talking bollocks it still means something, I'm also an EFFF-Master Instructor. (German market take note)

I only teach single-handed flycasting. You might say I've specialised in it. At some point, possibly in my next lifetime, I may try salmon fishing and if I become very good at it, I may even learn to teach the double-hander. I'm just not sure that my libido could handle this at the moment - that and I quite fancy doing other stuff with my life that doesn't necessarily involve fish (yes even salmon fishing occasionally involves fish).

Oh and by the way, if you have come across this page by pure chance, you know like you were thinking, “Instruction? I'll have some of that… if it's free”, then here's 50-odd pages of free stuff. And here's some technical stuff with video support that's also free and comes complete with the catchy name: “Dirty Harry”.

I'm lucky; I'm a well-travelled and busy instructor. I do it full-time. Well, that and this, not to be confused with “this and that” which would than mean that I'd have more time to go flyfishing (may lose you with that one). I've met and shared ideas with many other instructors. I'm responsible for the current “Sexyloops Underground Movement” – it's not big yet, but it's growing daily.

I've platform demonstrated at numerous Angling Fairs including the prestigious Chatsworth Mud Angling Fair and the Danish, Dutch and British Flyfairs. Not many people understand my demonstrations – possibly because they are so technically advanced. Yes that'll be it. And I'm still actively seeking knowledge. I don't know it all and neither would I want to; it's not about what you know, it's about the learning of what you don't… that and the women of course.

Although this site will probably be the death of me and in fact already has been, I do other flycasting related writing; namely the “Get out of Jail” (on a rocket) series with Charles Jardine in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying. We've been in jail together for the last 612351 episodes, or if not that much then certainly more.

I charge £60 per hour for one on one casting instruction and much more for tax write-offs, which happens to make me the most expensive flycasting instructor in the UK and possibly the world. Although on the face of it this may indeed appear to be a chancy coincidence, it is not and if I could charge more I would.

For a lesson you will need at least 60 quid, sunglasses, sunscreen, “sensible footwear”, wet weather clothing, shorts, TWO hats, a sense of adventure, and some chocolate.

Email me for details – oh and by the way, I'm hardly ever in Essex and almost never in England.