This document discusses various roles in the angling industry, qualifications for angling guides, and strategies for developing angling tourism in Ireland. It defines a boatman as someone who transports people or cargo by boat, a ghillie as an attendant on fishing expeditions, and a guide as someone who improves the travel experience through their expertise. It lists necessary skills for angling guides and the value they provide. It also outlines factors that have led to a decline in angling tourism and proposes a "Hubs" approach to effectively market the best angling destinations in Ireland.

1. Mark.H.V.Corps
IFI Angling Advisor
Marine & Countryside Guiding
FETAC Level 6

2. A Boat man is
• Someone who earns a living by
transporting people or cargo by boat
• Angling context – does the rowing
• Unskilled – did the work pre outboard
engines

4. What is a Ghillie?
• Ghillie or gillie is someone who acts as
an attendant on a fishing, fly fishing,
hunting or deer stalking expedition
• Angling context – someone who knows
a particular river / fishery well
• Supports the anglers / looks after the
fishery

6. What is a Guide?
• Guides are often employed in many aspects of travel /
adventure. To improve the overall travel experience /
make clients feel safer due to expertise of the guide
• Angling context – someone who in there angling
discipline can maximise an anglers experience
• Failte Ireland & Inland Fisheries Ireland accept the
following Guide qualifications
• Advanced Marine and Countryside Guides Certificate
• National Angling Guide Certificate (OCN Level 3)

8. Skills / experience / knowledge
required?
• Experienced / skilled angler
• Knowledge of variety of techniques
• Knowledge of fisheries
• Knowledge of fish species
• Good angler
• Technical angling knowledge
• Boat handler (ISA / RYA L2)
• Communicator
• First Aider
• Risk Assessor
• Lifesaving abilities
• Common sense
• Entomology
• Legislation

10. Value of qualified Angling guides
• Centre of excellence (FI)
• To provide a high quality Irish experience for
visiting anglers which has a holistic focus that
is broader than just the angling and includes
all elements of the holiday
‘travel, stay, fish, play’

11. Guides are
• Give someone who is on the ground & can monitor
what happens in the fishery
• Have a vested interest in developing the fishery /
ensuring the quality remains high for the product
• Give a contact with a full working knowledge of the
fishery
• Give someone who can respond to the vagaries of the
weather / fishing conditions to maximise the anglers
trip
• Give someone who can speak an anglers language

12. Centre of Excellence
Included Fisheries that offer
• Suitable fish stocks
• Provide angler friendly accommodation
• Have boats & engines for hire (if
appropriate)
• Tackle shop / bait suppliers
• Guides / Ghillies
• Entertainment

16. Decline in Angling Tourist numbers
• General economic situation
• Strength of € against £
• Drift nets
• Changing angling trends
• Increased competition
• Perceived decline in some fish stocks
• Fish farming
• General negative publicity

18. • Inadequate / poorly targeted marketing investment
• Perceived expensive destination
• Ferry costs
• Lack of coordination
• Poor / lack of information
• Accessibility of fishing
• Complex licensing requirements
• Value for money

20. C of E replaced by ‘Hubs’ idea to
• Effectively market the best
• Focus on segments of the market that are
significant in size
• Where demand exists
• Where current supply can meet expectations
• Focus on the needs of the visitor

22. Work with the industry
• To develop the quality of what is being offered
• Develop infrastructure
• Improve cooperation between relevant
sectors

25. Any Questions?