Education

“The More You Know the Funner You Go!”

We have a passion to teach. When you are successful, we are satisfied. Our students are impressed with our schools. Even though their game still is up and down, just knowing the “hows and whys” has increased their catch rate and eliminated many frustrations. Wouldn’t it be satisfying to take years off your learning curve? All our educational courses are designed with two ingredients; simplicity and retention.
As a beginner fly fisherman, I was overwhelmed with the vast amount of products and techniques. Are you like me… until you can touch it, tie it and taste it, you haven’t learned it?
Beginners Fly Tying     Free for age 16 & under
“It’s better to tie than to buy.”
Four evenings in two hour sessions for just $90.00. You will learn about tools, materials and fly construction. Six local flies will be tied in class covering all the techniques for almost any fly.  All tools and materials are provided during class, and students will receive a 10% discount on the tools and materials they purchase during this class. Once you have completed this class, you can graduate to the Intermediate Tying Class. If you feel you know the basics of tying, stop by the store, show us your skills and we may move you right into the intermediate class.

Classes are held Tue, Thurs, Sat. & Mon. evenings from 6-8. Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 6 students.

Read a Testimonial from a former student.

Intermediate Fly Tying 

($60 for students of beginners class & free for age 16 & under)
“It’s better to tie than to buy.”

Four evenings in two hour sessions for just $90.00. 9 flies will be tied in this class which will test your patience and build your skills. The flies are Royal Wulff, Blue Quill, Biot Midge, Gulper Special, Scud, Queen of the Waters (wet fly), 20 incher, Green Drake Nymph and Copper John. Through the tying of these 9 flies Mike Smith will teach various techniques of Tails, Bodies, Wings, Legs and Cheeks. Mike is the most interesting teacher I have ever sat under. He goes beyond the How and into the Why. Why do we use Hen feathers for one kind of fly and Rooster for another? Why is the Royal Wulff called a Royal Wulff. Why is CDC such a useful material? I think that teaching a student WHY something works helps to retain that information in their mind. Students will receive a 10% discount on tool and materials during this class.

Classes are held Tue, Thurs, Sat and Mon. evenings from 6-8. Minimum of 3 students, maximum of 6 students.

Beginner’s Fly Fishing

Four hours of classroom instruction and one hour of personal instruction on the water for just $55.00.
“Where do I begin?” “Fly fishing seems so complex”. “How do I whip that line back and forth” “There are so many flies and crazy names what do I use?” “It seems so expensive”. “I’m afraid I’ll be sold something I really don’t need”. Do you relate to these concerns? If so, relax and take a breath.

Classroom Topics

  1. I want you to become an educated consumer. Let’s say you are fishing in Montana and your reel breaks. When you enter the fly shop to buy a new reel, do you want them “to see you coming?” NO! So, we teach you how rods, reels and lines are made, their functions and price levels.
  2. Using rope, you will learn the first knot that ties your line to your reel to the last knot that ties on your fly and the materials in between.
  3. We cover the essential accessories to have on hand to make your fishing day more enjoyable.
  4. Fishing and product terminology is explained along the way.
  5. Web sites will be given to you in order to further you education.
  6. You will use a 44 page workbook that has pictures (I like pictures!) and explanations of everything covered in class. This is yours to keep.

 

On the Water Topics

  1. Reading the water is a term that describes your ability to know where the fish hang out in a stream, river or lake. We will show you where to cast so your fly drifts thru the fishes feeding lane.
  2. Knowing the entomology or life-like characteristics of the bugs in the water and on land, allows you to present the fly in a manner that fools the fish into thinking it’s the real deal. We will turn over rocks, show you the wiggling bugs and explain how the fish find them. Did you know that the best time to fish an ANT fly is just after it starts to rain?
  3. You will practice the three fundamental casts that get your fly to its target.
  4. If you catch Freddie the Fish during this hour of instruction, you will learn to set the hook, keep Freddie on the hook, and how to set him free.

 

Read these Testimonials from former students.