General Information About Classes
How to Choose A Class
That Is Right For You
Take a look at the class topics below to determine what you are most interested in
learning at this point in your fly fishing sport. Ask yourself: What would you most
like to improve - casting, presentation, approach, pattern selection, understanding
more about fish habitat, feeding habits, and food fishes eat? How much time do you want to
spend in learning these new skills - a half-day, full day, or two or more days? Give me a
phone call, tell me what you saw here that interests you, and I'll help you plan it from
there.
How Many Persons Per
Class
Fly casting schools are available for both private individual and groups. Cost is subject
to duration and client requirements. Classes are given either on an hourly or daily basis.
For the specialist classes I recommend a maximum of two persons per class. This allows a
greater degree of personal attention. For the entry levels I can accommodate a group of up
to 10 persons.
Seasonal Instruction
for Over-Coming Fishing Pressure
Many of our nation's rivers and streams, indeed many around the entire world, cannot
maintain the fish populations we have seen in the past. All good fisheries must endure
ever-increasing fishing pressure. To catch the ever more educated fish, fly fishing
strategy has changed significantly, as have fly patters and casting techniques. When these
new strategies are applied to seasonal conditions you'll enjoy success all season long in
waters many others may not enjoy such good luck!
In the colder winter months fly fishing tactics are comparatively easy to those used later
on in warmer periods. In early season resident fish are hungry, and newly stocked fish
understand little of their new surroundings. Both are eager to grab anything that looks
like food. Naturally a number of these fish are caught and removed. Those that survive
become aware of the fly fisher and his methods. They soon learn to seek out hiding spots
and to totally ignore the general manner in which most anglers attempt to catch them, be
they bait, spin, or fly fishers.
As the water warms up natural insect activity
increases. This heightens the fish's awareness of the environment and what is good to eat.
Thus, the fly fisher's approach must be coordinated with the fish's behavior and feeding
patterns. Your manner of approach to the fish's position in the water and your fly
presentation will dictate your level of success.
River Fishing
Instruction
River fishing demands special leader systems and casting techniques for presenting and
keeping your fly under control over long, drag-free drifts. With the right drift control
you'll learn to catch fish in conditions many would consider impossible.
Casting
Throwing a long line is important to many optimal fly fishing conditions. The Reach cast,
the Slack Line cast, the Tuck cast, and the Curve cast are just four of the essential
casts you'll want to learn if your goal is achieving a high level of fly fishing success.
Also essential are using the correct leader design and tippet sections to suit prevailing
conditions and for exacting fly presentations.
Presentations
Accurate presentation of the fly is just as important as casting. Knowing how to fish both
a dry fly and a nymph without drag is imperative for angling success. Drag imposes an
unnatural appearance to the fly and therefore fish reject it. By understanding fish
location, feeding habits, and the creatures fish feed on, you will understand the best
pattern to use, and how to best present the artificial bait in the most natural way.
Floating line techniques are, overall, the most enjoyable. Nymph fishing is a demanding
and absorbing method of fly fishing. Loch techniques are thrilling because you see the
fish move across the water's surface to your fly.
Different Bodies of
Water
Saltwater. Fresh water. Warm water, cold water, river, stream, brook, creek, pond,
reservoir, lake. Fly fishing techniques are numerous, and to a point, your choice will
depend upon approach.

Wade fishing at lower Rim Shoals trophy area, White
River
Fly
Fishing Schools
Costs
Costs for my classes range from $250 to $500 per day per person, depending on your
requirments. Please contact me directly to formulate a schedule that will suit for your
needs or those of your group.
1. Basic Entry Level Fly Fishing
Learn all basic skills and knowledge needed to begin fly fishing.
Class highlights:
- Fly Fishing Equipment - What You Need To Know
- About The Species You Fish For
- Fly Fishing Techniques
- Casting & Fly Presentations
- Practical On-Stream Fly Fishing
2. Intermediate Level
Fly Fishing
For those who have established some fly fishing skill and now want to move on to new
skills and techniques. Class highlights:
- How To Read Water - The Approach
- Correct Choice of Presentation - Wet or Dry?
- Correct Casting Technique
- Achieving Drag-free Drifts
- Advancing Nymph Fishing Skills
- Surface & Sub-Surface Technique
3. Fly Fishing
Presentation Skills
The class teaches how to approach a given fishing situation and the best options for
catching fish in that situation. This is an on-water class during which you will be
fishing. Class highlights:
- Correct Fly Line Selection
- Leader Configurations
- Airborne Casting Techniques
- Controling Fly Lines & Drag-free Drifts
- How To Present Nymphs - Wet, Dry, & Emerger
4. Fishing Soft Hackles
& Wet Flies
A specialty school covering all aspects of learning about the art of wet fly and soft
hackle fly fishing. Class highlights:
- What You Need To Know About The Flies Used
- Forming Correct Leader Configurations
- Reading The Water for the Best Approach
- Fishing From Upstream & Downstream Angles
- Floating & Sunk Line Techniques
5. Dry Fly &
Emerger Fly Fishing
A specialty class covering how to fish emergers and dry flies. You will learn how to fish
large and small patterns. Class highlights:
- Specialized Leader & Tippet Construction
- Casting Drag-Free Drifts
- Fishing Small Midges
- Emerger Techniques
- Fishing Large Dry Fly Patterns
6. Nymph Fishing
Strategy
Nymph fishing skills are a must. The majority of trout you catch will be with a subsurface
presentation. A must for every fly fisher! Class highlights:
- Fishing Shallow Water
- Fishing Deep Water
- Fishing With & Without Strike Indicator Systems
- Floating & Sinking Line Techniques.
7. Fly Fishing With
Streamers & Bait Fish
Fishing streamers presents many options that imitate bait from fish to crawdads. Learn the
many presentation techniques you'll want to be accomplished in for using these highly
effective patterns. Class highlights:
- The Best Presentation Techniques
- Best Fly Lines For Streamer & Bait Fish Patterns
- Leaders For Streamer Patterns
- Proper Retrievals
Practical Fly Fishing School
These courses cover all aspects of fly fishing for
species of freshwater fishes on streams, lakes, and still waters. I also cover saltwater
fishing for those who want it. A wide range of skills and presentations are covered. Each
presentation requires a different approach, some more than others require a greater level
of technical ability. This is typically a one day on-the-river course covering:
- Reading The Water
- Correct Methods of Presentation
- Leader, Tippet, & Specialized Leader Systems
- Fishing Soft Hackle & Wet Flies
- Fishing Dry Flies & Emergers
- Shallow Water Nymph Techniques
- Deep Water Nymph Techniques
- Fishing Streamer & Baitfish Imitations
Fly fishing and fly casting classes are available on
an individual, corporate, or group basis. Outings are on still and running water.
You may have a selected period of time dedicated to casting, fishing, or fly tying. The
minimum period of time per person is two hours. Courses are also offered by Half-Day (four
hours) and Full Day (eight hours). Course fees vary based on the length of the class,
location, and prevailing international currency exchange rates. Please contact me to
discuss your specific class desires.
Casting Schools
Fly casting is without a doubt one if not the most
important of all fly fishing skills. Good casting skills enable you to take on any fishing
situation from casting long distances, to precise presentations, and dealing with adverse
wind conditions. Knowing in your own mind that you can do it when the situation demands it
adds immeasurable pleasure to your fishing experiences. With this in mind I have several
casting classes at different skill levels. Casting classes give you both
theoretical and practical understanding of basic to advanced casting skills.
Please choose from the options below or feel free to
phone me to discuss your needs. The following describe some of the topics covered in each
class.
Costs
Costs for my classes range from $250 to $500 per day per person, depending on your
requirments. Please contact me directly to formulate a schedule that will suit for your
needs or those of your group.
Basic Level Casting
Instruction
The basic level class covers instruction for all basic skills and knowledge needed to
start fly fishing. Highlights include:
- Overhand Cast - False Cast
- Roll Cast
- Loop & Line Control
- Basic Fly Presentation & Lift Off
- Proper Leader & Tippet Design
- Fly Line Profile & Attachment
Intermediate Level
Casting
For those who have established some fly
fishing skill and want to learn new skills and improve on technique. Highlights:
- Achieving Distance - Line Release & Control
- Advanced Roll Cast Techniques
- Single Haul vs. Double Haul
- Line Mending Techniques Above & On Water
- Slack Line Casts
- Advanced Tippet & Leader Design
Advanced Level Casting
- Full Line Extension Casts
- Long Line Release - Double & Single Haul
- Change Of Direction Casting
- Airborne Casting: Tuck, Switch, Reach, Across, &
Angled Casts
- Presentation Casts: Line Mending, Rolled, & Spiral
Pick-ups
- Long Range Line Control
- Advanced Dry Fly & Nymph Fishing Techniques
Salmon-Spey-Doubled Handed
Rod
- Overhand Cast
- Roll Cast
- Single & Double Spey
Click here
for fly tying class information
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