Guide Certification

Description

In an effort to educate and share the sheer joy of the tenkara method for fly fishing, Zen Tenkara by Zen Fly Fishing Gear offers a Zen Certified Tenkara Guide Program.  You will learn about the origins and fundamentals of tenkara style fly fishing, about rods, lines and flies. You will then learn intermediate and advanced casting and landing techniques for both traditional and extreme tenkara rods. The course and certification are aimed at professionals who already fulfill the requirements of guiding in the state in which they intend to guide. All Zen Certified Guides are expected to maintain current First Aid training as well as understand and practice excellent guide and stream etiquette. As a ZCTG you become an ambassador for Zen Tenkara/Zen Fly Fishing Gear Company and its products. Through this collaborative relationship, we work hard to support each other. Modern competition has created the need for guides to have an edge over their competitors to successfully support themselves. Zen Tenkara gives you that edge with its high-quality equipment, stellar customer service, collaborative philosophy and its dedication to defining American Tenkara for diverse waters. By offering its customers a broad range of tenkara experiences, Zen is setting its own trends in the fishing industry. Through the Zen Certified Tenkara Guide (ZCTG) Program, Zen promises its clients professional standards, expertise, and integrity throughout all certification and endorsed operations. As a professional guide you must perform to the highest degree to make this promise a reality for the clients you will be guiding.

Endorsed Shops and Individual Certified Guides make up the total Zen Program. Endorsed Shops maintain a staff of guides while the independent guide, does his own guiding through a non-endorsed shop.

There are two methods for becoming a Zen Certified Tenkara Guide. You may complete and pass the training as an independent guide, or you may complete and pass the education and training by your affiliation with a Zen Endorsed Shop. While guiding goals and techniques may vary with different locations and operations, the basic rule of professional guiding applies to all Zen Certified Tenkara Guides regardless of location and operation. When Zen places their stamp on you as a Zen Certified Tenkara Guide your responsibilities to Zen Tenkara/Zen Fly Fishing Gear Company and to the guiding profession is to earn this honor through hard work, and professionalism.

Guide trainings are offered and scheduled on an “as-requested” basis. They can be arranged for staff in a retail shop, an outfitter’s operation, as a small group of up to 3 people, or individually. Trainings are typically a full day but can be broken into 2 half days. Locations vary for shops but for small groups and individuals, the course typically takes place in Loveland or Fort Collins, Colorado and the surrounding areas. Upon registration date/s, time and location can be discussed. To reserve your spot or for more specific information, including pricing, please contact us at info@zenflyfishinggear.com. Zen Endorsed Shops are those shops that carry a full selection of Zen products. Zen Endorsed Shops are considered “full service” shops. They are knowledgeable of tenkara and Zen products. These shops also include our products on their website and meet the minimum annual inventory.